Has Spring Ever Stayed Stuck in the Cold Like This? (Austin: transplants, places)

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

LOL. This is one of the statements that bugs me the most. I have heard this everywhere I have lived and everywhere the people who say it think it is unique to their location. I even heard this in Bakersfield, CA which has quite possibly some of the most predictable weather in the entire country. People here in the Houston area say it too and it's generally a laughable statement in this area. With the exception of a pop-up thunderstorm in the summer, or a tropical storm event, the weather in south Texas is usually extremely predictable. However, this spring IS highly unusual.

That said, I lived in Oklahoma where that saying is 100% true. I imagine it might apply to northeast and northwest TX too.

Lol Hey I don't know about that one, War Beagle. Fall through spring can be such a roller coaster ride in Houston. Countless days can begin chilly and end up warm and sunny by the afternoon, or you can start the day off warm and a sheet of clouds will come out of nowhere bringing in some cool air. These types of events never surprise me, because I'm always checking the forecast, but I can't tell you how many times I've heard "I didn't even know it was supposed to be cold today!"

Summer is just about the only season in Houston that's completely predictable. There's little deviation from hot and wet. I do agree with you about that statement being more true of the northern parts of Texas, though.

[Willsson]

Originally Posted by TX75007

Yes, this has been a cold spring. We will get another cold front Tuesday. Spring planting has been delayed across much of TX and the South. Further north, the snow has killed a lot of calves and sheep. Canada and Alaska MIGHT get above freezing this week.

Yep. Watch the weather reports... not for predictions or whether or not to bring in the dogs. But pay attention to the weather pattern charts, particularly the jet stream. The thing has been further north than usual with occasional dips into the south which brings the Canadian cold fronts. That's why the north and northeast has gotten so much cold.

As the jet stream is further north, the cold fronts here in Texas are more like turning on the AC on a cool day. I like it that way. Will also allow more gulf breeze and humidity in the summer, with fewer of the lingering high pressure systems which bring the intense heat.

I'm looking for balmy this year. Time to shop for new patio furniture..

[KathrynAragon]

I am LOVING this weather. After twenty years of what seems like incessant heat (though I do love Texas anyway), this is a real treat.

I'm afraid that if I complain, and then walk outside and get hit by a truck, I'll go straight to hell.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by Willsson

As the jet stream is further north, the cold fronts here in Texas are more like turning on the AC on a cool day. I like it that way. Will also allow more gulf breeze and humidity in the summer, with fewer of the lingering high pressure systems which bring the intense heat.

What do past cool springs suggest about the weather for the rest of the year? I'm particularly curious about summer rainfall and then winter temps.

[Two4damoney]

I like this weather too. Maybe our summer will be a little cooler this year.

[Nairobi]

I'm actually hearing that the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the country are supposed to be experiencing above average heat with a rainy late summer. I'll try finding the link.

[happycrow]

I shall now post the most popular sentiment on this entire subforum:

"Hey, I'm in Texas. I don't care HOW hot it is, as long as we get plenty of rain. "

[Willsson]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

What do past cool springs suggest about the weather for the rest of the year? I'm particularly curious about summer rainfall and then winter temps.

Cool springs... rest of year? As far as I know, nothing. But where I live, we've already had more rain this spring than we had all of last year.

Summer rainfall... winter temps? I have no idea.

I just watch the jet stream to see where they weather is going to go.

[die Eichkatze]

Originally Posted by happycrow

ENSO (pacific decadal oscillation, that thing that gives us El Ninos) is neutral this year. That means Texas is likely to see a little drought relief this year (which is good! Originally ENSO was looking to be in La Nina mode, which would have meant more drought). ENSO being neutral will result in Texan weather that is no surprise to old-timers, but which will seem unusual to the rest of us, as it has been in strong El Nino/La Nina weather patterns for most of the last couple decades.

Climate Prediction Center - Monitoring & Data: ENSO Impacts on the U.S. - Previous Events

ENSO neutral conditions just mean equal chances of it being drier or wetter than normal, it doesn't guarantee us conditions one way or the other. A normal summer in Texas means very little rain anyway, so for the western 2/3 of Texas the drought will rage on....
Southern Plains Home | U.S. Drought Portal

[Stone1]

Nairobi,

I'm not sure about all areas in the north but here in WI and I believe all of MN it is much colder than normal, some areas are still getting heavy snow while we are just having small amounts of snow. The weather seems to be 1 - 2 months behind. I just came back from visiting some family in TN and there seems to be a good amount of flooding in Ill. and WI due to the snow and rain. I thin it could be a late planting season for the farmers up this way.