Trees budding, temperature records smashed: welcome to ‘winter’

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This article was published 06/01/2021 (1731 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s been so warm, even the trees are fooled.

As southern Manitoba basks in an unusually long stretch of warm winter weather, the rise in temperatures has been confusing for some of the region’s plant life as willows and poplar trees have started to show early buds — months ahead of schedule.

“We’ve had a pattern — really since the beginning of December — where we’ve had these above normal temperatures in place,” Environment Canada meteorologist Blaine Lowry said Wednesday.

The warm temperatures are set to last at least another week.

While periods of warm winter weather are not uncommon, Lowry said, the length of this stretch is unusual.

“For this extended period of time it’s not unheard of but it’s more rare,” Lowry said. “From the beginning of December until present there’s been maybe two day in total that have been below (average). The extended period of it is perhaps abnormal.”

Normally, Winnipeg would see daytime highs of -13 C at this time of year, Lowry said, meaning the current mild temperatures are above average by double-digits.

On Monday, Winnipeg set a single-day record high temperature of 3.4 C, beating the previous record of 2.7 C set in 2007.

Another weather record was set Dec. 8, when the mercury hit 6.6 C, beating the 5.6 C record from 1939.

The warm weather has willows and poplar trees budding early.

“Willows count on that warmer weather and it triggers them into beginning to open up their buds,” said Marilyn Dudek of the Manitoba Master Gardeners Association.

Willows normally bud around Easter, Dudek said, but the early bloom isn’t cause for concern.

“They’re very adaptable — willows are a very hardy species,” she added.

Plants that are native to the region, like poplar and willows, can handle the cold temperatures still to come, and will likely “shut down” once temperatures drop again, Dudek said.

The sight of new buds, which might normally suggest the coming of spring, is “nature’s way of getting us through the winter,” she added.

The ongoing warmth has also encouraged Manitobans to get outside.

Premier Brian Pallister noted at a news conference Wednesday that Beaudry Provincial Park, the Assiniboine River trail and other local winter wonderlands have been packed with walkers, skiiers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The premier encouraged Manitobans to make use of the surprise winter warmth and “get outside” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m pleased to see the number of Manitobans that are doing that,” Pallister said.

“I’ve got news for you: we live in Manitoba and we haven’t had winter yet, we’ve been blessed with some wonderful weather… I encourage you to get outside; it’s good for your mental health, it’s good for your physical health and well-being.”

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca 

Twitter: @jsrutgers