In the midst of a bleak winter and the aftermath of Storm Fern in the U.S., you may be concerned that the forecast looks dreary for the Spring season ahead.
However, despite the cold and heavy snowfall, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its forecast for April and May. And it appears that you can look forward to a warmer spring — well, mostly.
While we’re all eager to know what the future weather holds in terms of our own comfort, the Farmer’s Almanac’s main priority isn’t to help us plan our wardrobes, but to assist farmers, gardeners and others in organizing their year ahead.
Rather than focusing on daily weather patterns, it takes a long-range view, and provides weather forecasts broken down into 18 regions across the U.S. “These long-term weather trends can help gardeners think about timing, soil conditions, moisture management, and plant selections — without replacing local forecasts or day-to-day monitoring,” states The Farmer’s Almanac.
A warm, drier spring ahead
For this spring, the forecast is looking positive, predicting drier and warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of the U.S.. Although in some regions, the Farmer’s Almanac predicts cooler climes with wetter conditions.
So, if you are a keen gardener and enjoy spending time outdoors cultivating your backyard, what does a warmer and drier spring mean for you?
1. Soil will dry out faster, especially if it is exposed or sandy.
2. Expect early growth spurts, which may need extra care.
3. Young plants may become stressed during warmer spells if rainfall is limited, and strong roots will be harder to establish.
To overcome the issues above, the Farmer’s Almanac suggests monitoring soil moisture and watering deeply when needed. You may want to consider a soaker hose or drip lines to ensure your plants and lawn are hydrated.
Applying mulch will also help your soil to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. A handy tip is to use fallen leaves to make your own mulch.
When choosing new plants, consider drought-tolerant or plants that love the sun, and shade those that are less tolerant.
Cooler, wetter conditions
If you live in an area where cooler and wetter weather is predicted this spring, keep an eye out for the following problems.
1. Soil will tend to become waterlogged and compacted.
2. A reduction in temperature will mean germination is likely to be slower.
3. Fungal diseases will possibly increase.
A waterlogged, compacted soil can be boosted by improving drainage, amending it with compost, and working it when it’s compacted. Another option to address wet soil is to create raised beds and fill them with compost.
Waiting for plants to germinate is a key part of gardening, but when the temperature is cooler, you’ll have to be a little more patient.
It’s also worth looking out for fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, black spot, blight and root rot, which can take hold under these conditions.
What spring weather to expect where you are
The general consensus is that the U.S. will experience a warmer, drier Spring, but a few exceptions go against the trend.
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and areas of Montana and Colorado are expected to see temperatures closer to or below seasonal averages. And wetter-than-average conditions are forecast in Upper Alaska, Texas-Oklahoma, the Northern Appalachians, the High Plains, the Upper Midwest, and the Intermountain regions.
In both the Northeast and Atlantic Corridor, temperatures will be warmer than average, especially in May, with the Farmer’s Almanac predicting a rise by 3°F, with rainfall forecast to be below average across April and May in the Northeast, while only below average during April in the Atlantic Corridor.
Across the Carolinas and Georgia in the Southeast, you can expect temperatures to be warmer than usual, with April drier than normal and May at average levels. Temperatures follow the same rising pattern across the Lower Lakes and Ohio Valley, but where it will be drier in the east, with above-average rainfall in the west of the Lower Lakes, the reverse is predicted for the Ohio Valley.
The temperature pattern changes in the Deep South. While April will see temperatures 4°F above average, May will see temperatures drop to 1°F below average.
Going with the trend, if you’re in Iowa, Missouri and eastern Kansas and Nebraska, you can look forward to a Spring 5°F warmer than normal, with weather drier than normal in the north. April will also be 5°F warmer than usual in Texas and Oklahoma, but rainfall will be above normal, with a tropical storm predicted for late May.
The same heat is expected in the High Plains, with the Farmer’s Almanac forecasting extreme heat through the summer.
It’s a mix of warmer and cooler weather in the Intermountain region, with cooler and wetter weather in the north, and warmer and drier conditions in the south. Whereas New Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California within the Desert Southwest region will experience above-average temperatures in May, with rainfall at normal levels in the east and drier than usual in the west.
In the Pacific Northwest, from Seattle to Eureka along the coast, April temperatures are expected to be normal, while May will be cooler in the north and warmer in the south. The area will also be drier than usual.
Temperature-wise, the Pacific Southwest won’t experience any deviation from the norm, but rainfall will be lower.
In Alaska and Hawaii, both regions will see warmer-than-normal temperatures, but precipitation varies. The north of Alaska will see above-average rainfall, while the South will see normal rainfall. Whereas, in Hawaii, the east will be drier, and the central and western regions wetter.
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