In case you haven't heard--Cold returning

[miker]

That's the forecast I got, colder last night than Sunday and even colder tonight. I get my weather from the National Weather service website for my area (enter the zip code). They are the most accurate. I also listen to the local weather forecast on the news but they usually give predictions for the city and our weather out here can vary quite a bit from that.

It got down to 27 last night.

Me deciduous are in my garage. I've only been able to put them outside one day. My trident is almost fully leafed out, others aren't far behind. This weekend, the are saying 40s an 50s. Not sure about after that yet.

That has been my experience as well, the NWS is the most accurate, while the others can be all over the map, and not as reliable. I see Albany, NY was 14F this morning, and Grayling, MI -9F! I know the growing season in N Michigan has not begun, but I wonder about Albany.

It can even freeze in inland N Florida in April. I remember seeing it and being shocked. For example, the low on April 8, 2009 in Crestview, FL was 30F.

We were in the 50s, while the Orlando urban heat island bottomed out at 63F. I was going to protect my trident, but then I thought, nah, it can take it.

 

[M. Frary]

Minus 8 this morning. 8 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow.

 

[Underdog]

Minus 8 this morning. 8 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow.

can't click like on that stuff... dislike.

 

[M. Frary]

can't click like on that stuff... dislike.

It's keeping me from my collecting activities.

 

[Underdog]

It's keeping me from my collecting activities.

Went mushroom hunting today. Been finds in surrounding counties. Only brought home a lil tree... still early here but has been so many warm spells everything is confused. Still a nice sunny day in the woods although cool.

We had nicer 5 day forecasts in January then we have today. They say if you don't get winter in winter, you'll get it in spring.

 

[just.wing.it]

Yesterday was mid 40's all day, never even saw 46 at my place, and windy as hell! Came home to find several yard plants with dead new growth. Including my favorite azalea, in full bloom. It killed all the flowers, turned brown and drooping.

 

[rockm]

27 this morning. Everything is inside. Warm up until Saturday night when it goes back to freezing. Looks like clear sailing after that. Rough spring...

 

[JudyB]

Looks like Saturday/Sunday may be the beginning of the end of it. Going to be in the low 20's here and snow. Nothing is getting out till after that! Some early things are almost at leaf hardening, this is the longest I've had to hold them inside. Smells like summer in there.

 

[Dav4]

Looks like Saturday/Sunday may be the beginning of the end of it. Going to be in the low 20's here and snow. Nothing is getting out till after that! Some early things are almost at leaf hardening, this is the longest I've had to hold them inside. Smells like summer in there.

Speak for yourself...frost and maybe freeze possible Saturday and Sunday morning...the tomatoes are going in the garage.

 

[JudyB]

Speak for yourself...frost and maybe freeze possible Saturday and Sunday morning...the tomatoes are going in the garage.

Yes, here too, freeze warnings out all week here. I'm just hoping that it's the end of it.

 

[Nybonsai12]

26 outside this morning. This is BS.
Everything is in the garage and even though there is a skylight there is certainly not enough sun. My trees deserve better than this!
Go home winter you're drunk!

 

[coh]

Heat wave! Only 20 last night and might hit 50 the next two days. Followed of course by the weekend cold. So the task for the next 2-3 days is to keep the two shelters as cold as possible. I'm using the frozen buckets in the barn shelter, but really don't think it's making much difference.

Yes, here too, freeze warnings out all week here. I'm just hoping that it's the end of it.

Things are looking better after this weekend, but I would think this pattern will provide another cold shot at some point. Eventually those Canadians will run out of cold to send us.

 

[JudyB]

Heat wave! Only 20 last night and might hit 50 the next two days. Followed of course by the weekend cold. So the task for the next 2-3 days is to keep the two shelters as cold as possible. I'm using the frozen buckets in the barn shelter, but really don't think it's making much difference.
.

I tried the frozen bucket blocks this winter too during warm spells. Don't think it did enough to account for all the hauling work... looking at getting a chiller someday.

 

[GrimLore]

26-27F-ish yesterday morning
20 this morning

All left outside except for the Rhododendron. So far leaf on Amur, Other Maples, Elms, Crabapple, Golden Willow, Barberry all looking ok. Buds on everything else still stable... I am going to let everything ride it out as usual.

Looks like I will be able to turn on the hoses Tuesday or Wednesday and schedule the Landscape work... Have to have water out there as it includes sod.

Grimmy

 

[coh]

I tried the frozen bucket blocks this winter too during warm spells. Don't think it did enough to account for all the hauling work... looking at getting a chiller someday.

I got the idea from you Only using 3 buckets but still tired of lugging them around. I may just look into adding insulation to the shelter for next winter, right now I'm using insulated boards on 3 sides and plastic sheeting over the top/front. Not sealed very well...

 

[Underdog]

26-24 next three nights. Carried all my junk in again, Basement garage and office.
I'm learning and will have better arrangements next winter for sure.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@rockm - you are right, not much you can do about a week of 80 F. Below ground storage works only if soil tamps don't get too warm during these warm spells. Otherwise I guess you are locked into the drag it in, drag it out routine.

In another thread Crust was contemplating putting an air conditioner into his storage shed, to cool the trees during mid-winter warm spells. Replace air conditioner thermostat with a controller that would allow you to set temp at 36 degrees or what ever temp you chose. Beyond a chiller the scenario you describe seems impossible to not have problems.

 

[rockm]

The low on Saturday night is supposed to be 25 F in my neighborhood/area. I was going to go get my oak out of storage until my friend who's keeping it called and asked me if I really wanted to come get it with another cold week coming up. Since it is supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow with 20 mph wind accompanied by rain and/or sloppy snow and the tree will be riding in the back of my truck, I've rescheduled for next weekend.

This is almost three weeks beyond the date I typically pick up the tree and bring it home. I've taken all the other trees into the basement three or four times now.

My patience with spring is wearing thin...

Good luck to you more northerly folks. If it's 25 here in D.C., you all must be very cold.

 

[GrimLore]

Good luck to you more northerly folks. If it's 25 here in D.C., you all must be very cold.

Good Luck to you as well! It has been a strange Spring but I suspect we will all survive North and South!

April Snow Showers bring May Flowers

Grimmy

 

[rockm]

The apple and stone fruit orchards out in the Shenandoah down to the Va/NC/Tenn. border, as well as the vineyards in central Va. (including Donald Trump's son's vineyard), face some pretty severe danger from the cold.
http://wjla.com/news/local/local-vineyards-preparing-for-sudden-cold-snap
http://www.nbc29.com/story/31639530/albemarle-co-orchard-preps-for-spring-freezes