Spring Comes to the Thumb

From the eye popping pink of the sunroom geraniums, to the spikes of iris that pierce the once cold ground, spring is emerging with power this year. Today's forecast for the first day of spring in Michigan's Thumb includes a high temperature of 85 degrees and possible thunderstorms.

It's getting harder to spot a patch of snow in a deep ditch or back along the wooded bluffs. Usually there are white crusty blobs of snow until late April or early May.

Tuesday morning, March 20, 2012 -- First Day of Spring
Fog over Lake Huron shoreline in Huron County, Michigan

The chilly waters of Lake Huron react with the warm air to produce an almost constant low lying fog along the shoreline. Winds push and pull these lake mists up onto the land mass. Driving south along the shore yesterday, I passed through two foggy spots. It was like flying through the clouds, only not quite as thick.

My Dad in Wisconsin will celebrate his 91st birthday next month. Dad is seeing this early spring through the window of his ninety plus years of weather observing. No doubt he will have some memories of other springs when the land was dry and warm enough for farmers to plant early.

Previous spring posts:

First Day of Spring 2011
Foggy Bluff

Copyright 2012
Wanda Hayes Eichler