Countdown To Spring

As an unusually cold winter is finally winding down I find myself constantly searching for reassurance, with camera ready, to document any evidence that spring is almost here.

A Hatteras winter generally begins with a slow cooling of our air temperatures as the surrounding water temperatures hover in the low 60s and then begin to drop in December. This winter, however, was not typical and in fact since December our temperatures have been approximately 10 degrees (or more) below normal. Although it can happen, rarely do the winter temps fall below freezing. This winter was an exception. December, January and February daytime temperatures averaged in the low 40s while nighttime temperatures dropped into the low 30s, and several times were in the 20s.

An added burden were the multiple Nor Easters that formed off the coast whipping up northeast winds creating ocean over wash in the typical trouble spots along Highway 12. Then as each storm moved northward (on a fast track with New England in its sights) the winds switched out of the northwest and west which pushed the sound waters up higher than normal and in turn caused sound side flooding in low lying areas from Avon to Hatteras Village.

While water temperatures in March usually begin to warm and by April are in the 60-degree range and continue to climb (this in turn keeps our air temperatures similar and on the rise). Yet today the average water temperature remains colder than normal and with sunshine at a premium of late air temps are struggling to reach and hold in the mid to upper 50s. All-in-all most would agree these past several months have been much too cold for our southern comfort.

Refusing to give up, I am ready to say good-bye to winter and embrace each sign of spring. Keep searching and you too will notice stems of spring bulbs emerging through the soil, many have already begun showing off their bright yellow, white, pink and purple blooms. And if you look closely, the dune grasses are once again beginning to sprout new green shoots up through the sand. Even the yellow dandelion flowers standing tall among the brown blades of grass are left for now as encouragement. All are sure signs that winter is finally coming to an end and spring is almost here…just around the corner.

So let the countdown begin, and welcome spring, which officially begins Saturday, March 20th!



Blog entry by Katherine White,
Administration Support, Hatteras Office