I'm showing 50's to around 60 here in the Detroit area next week. Definitely risks the danger of having things come along far too early, and then have a late season outbreak of arctic air take them out. But, I don't know of any way to stop it.

This happened in the spring of 2007 (IIRC) -- way too warm in March, followed by extreme cold.

Add 10F to that...I would say Tues-Sat have the potential for 70F+...Its ugly how warm it looks in the extended range. Going to really cause a lot of pain if the trees all bloom early.

Still looks very warm...probably some 80Fs in the plain states next week...creeping into MN... Warmth starts Saturday and continues for at least 7 days.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised things around here don't seem to waking up like you'd think. I cut down over 20 trees last weekend, and they did not bleed at all. My blackberries are beginning to leaf out a little, and there is some swelling on the blueberries and peaches but that's all. I was checking last year's records, and the first rhubarb emerged on March 3. So far, no sign of that yet.

I was very concerned about this early warming but the long-range forecast is that the general warming trend is going to stay in place through March for sure. This means I am probably OK since by April it has usually warmed up here anyway. Folks in colder climates may have more problems in April but this warm trend is caused by La Nina (sic) pattern which is a long-term thing, not just random weather ups and downs.

I am going to have to spray this week, I saw a plum already flowering on my way to work this morning.

Scott
PS see below for the current March/April/May forecast for example. Also poke around this site and you will find discussions of the long-term trends.

Here is a link that might be useful: NWS long-term forecast