Spring, Around the Corner
2012 was the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States. By June nearly all Illinois farmers were sitting by the pool, suntanning, and sipping on fruit drinks as they had concluded a bulk (if not all) of their fieldwork in MARCH and April.
The unseasonably warm temperatures were a result of an unthinkable number of variables. However, one major culprit for last year's unusually warm temperatures was the Arctic Oscillation. The Oscillation was strongly positive last year, which helped aid the jet stream's move to Canada and was a major factor in the unseasonably warm temperatures for the Spring of 2012.
Spring 2012 Vs Spring 2013
The spring of 2013, has nearly been a mirror image of 2012. The year has been dominated by a negative Arctic Oscillation, combined with other factors, that have contributed to well-below normal temperatures for most of the Spring season. As a result, the jet stream has visited our area often and led to an active weather pattern and flooding events for Illinois and surrounding areas. The Arctic Oscillation is not the only factor, but a major player in the temperature anomalies over the past two spring seasons.
These annual opposing climate extremes have led to an interesting compare and contrast scenario for Illinois.
These annual opposing climate extremes have led to an interesting compare and contrast scenario for Illinois.
Corn Field in Green Creek, IL; May 30th 2012
(Corn planted mid-March of 2012)
Field of Flowers in Green Creek, IL; May 24th 2013
Planting corn in March is uncommon. Though the unseasonably warm temperatures and relatively dry spring allowed for it in 2012. Nearly all of the crops in the Green Creek area were planted by May 1st of last year, which again is highly unusual, but such was the case last spring.
Having a field that has yet to be 'worked' (essentially meaning plowed, cultivated, et cetera) by May 24th is highly unusual for this area. Yet, it seems that up until last week no fields in this area had been 'worked'. Not necessarily a direct result of the cool tempeatures, but a result of the high precipitation amounts for the month of April. The consistent rain kept farmers out of their fields and inside watching reruns of M.A.S.H. for much of the Spring.
While this event was a month ago, many are still feeling the repercussions from the 7 inches received mid-April and the additional rain received on a consistent basis following this event.
While the past few evenings have resulted in overnight temperatures reaching the 40s for much of Illinois, few places have set all-time low records. The 10-day forecast is showing a warm-up for much of the state, while the climate prediction center is predicting temperatures to be near average for the summer. (Though keep in mind the climate prediction center predicted a Spring above average for Illinois). At any rate, it appears Spring may be here to stay. (Or start, depending on your perception).
Having a field that has yet to be 'worked' (essentially meaning plowed, cultivated, et cetera) by May 24th is highly unusual for this area. Yet, it seems that up until last week no fields in this area had been 'worked'. Not necessarily a direct result of the cool tempeatures, but a result of the high precipitation amounts for the month of April. The consistent rain kept farmers out of their fields and inside watching reruns of M.A.S.H. for much of the Spring.
April 19th 2013, Colmar, IL
While this event was a month ago, many are still feeling the repercussions from the 7 inches received mid-April and the additional rain received on a consistent basis following this event.
While the past few evenings have resulted in overnight temperatures reaching the 40s for much of Illinois, few places have set all-time low records. The 10-day forecast is showing a warm-up for much of the state, while the climate prediction center is predicting temperatures to be near average for the summer. (Though keep in mind the climate prediction center predicted a Spring above average for Illinois). At any rate, it appears Spring may be here to stay. (Or start, depending on your perception).