LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Following what has been an unseasonably warm winter for many, including Kentucky, spring has arrived historically early in parts of the U.S.
In the Deep South, they’re seeing either the earliest spring on record or a spring that only occurs this early every 40 years, according to the National Phenology Network.
Locally, portions of Kentucky have flowers blooming, trees budding, and grass growing due to the unseasonably warm conditions. Daffodils are blooming everywhere across central and southern Kentucky with many more reports of this happening in eastern Kentucky.
Let’s take a look at our winter numbers so far for Lexington. It’s been unseasonably warm for January and February with our average temperatures well above normal. Quite impressive and the big reason for the signs of this year’s early spring!
Check out the first map below from the National Phenology Network. This map shows the date the Leaf Index was met this year and is based on the average of three different plant species. Now, many across the Commonwealth, including central and eastern Kentucky, are seeing more leaves and blooms starting to show up.
The second map shows the anomaly — the difference between this year’s Leaf Index and the 30-year average. This means, for southern and western Kentucky, spring is running up to three weeks earlier than average, and the early bloom is making its way northward quickly.
Officially, spring does not begin until the Spring Equinox, which falls on March 20 this year.
However, The Weather Authority continues to talk about more warmth ahead into late month and would only speed up the process for the arrival of spring.
