ST. PAUL, Minn. – A predicted late spring snowstorm may have you wondering what will happen when spring finally arrives.
But experts assure us all will be fine… eventually.
Everything from the hatching of mosquitoes to the blooming of flowers may be delayed, but experts also say history suggests the snowiest Aprils result in warmer summers.
“If you look at the top five snowiest Aprils, the top three snowiest Aprils – 2002, 2013 and 1983 – they all had warmer than average summers,” said Pete Boulay, Assistant State Climatologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
But Boulay also quickly qualifies that “cup half full” prediction.
“The bottom two of the top five [snowiest Aprils], happened early in the twentieth century, and they had really cold summers,” he noted.
Given that statistical theory, Boulay suggested summer lovers hope for several inches to fall this weekend.
“Right now we have 10.3 inches for April, which is the ninth snowiest on record right now,” adding moments later, “so what you’re rooting for is have a direct hit of the storm and have the snowiest April on record.”
Meantime, mosquitoes are definitely waiting to make their big debut until after the weather turns a bit warmer. Mike McLean, a spokesperson with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, says the district has delayed hiring their summer staff – who actually go out in the fields -- by one week. But he warns, a late start to the season may not mean a mild one.
“You’ll get a big explosion of the mosquito population, a little bit later than normal. And sometimes it’s some of those species kind of piggybacking on one another,” he said, then further explaining: “There’s a group of early emerging mosquitoes and those are probably going to be delayed a little bit. But summertime mosquitoes are way more dependent on ground temperature and how warm it is.”
McLean also warned people some ticks are already present in areas where the snow has melted. And he encourages people to empty any yard containers that may fill with water – given that the mosquitoes that carry diseases tend to thrive in those settings.
Also feeling the delay – garden centers throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
“Just less traffic. People are excited but not ready to buy,” said Sarah Davis, General Manager at Sunnyside Gardens in Minneapolis.
Davis predicts business will bloom again – along with the flowers – once the growing season finally starts.
“We’re going to be delayed only a week or two. And once everything starts happening – and it will start happening – we’ll have a really fast tulip season,” she said.
But shopping at Sunnyside on Thursday – a grandma and her budding gardener – who searched for signs of the season.
“’We have to bring some spring home, right, for Mommy,’” Karen Bobeldyk said to her 4-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Cora.
“Pansies are tough. And we need a bright spot in the snow. We’re sick of it,” Bobeldyk said, reflecting on the perseverance of both the pansies and Minnesotans: “We are tough Minnesotans.”