A Welcome Weather Alert: Vermont Now Under A Severe Daffodil Warning

Here's one example of the type of "hazard" that could
develop in Vermont during the upcoming week. 

 It's Easter, I'm feeling whimsical, so I'm going to issue a weather warning not necessarily sanctioned by the National Weather Service office in South Burlington. Or any NWS office, for that matter. 

Still, it needs to be worded like a real National Weather Service warning, so here goes: 

DAFFODIL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR VERMONT

The Matt's Weather Rapport Service in St. Albans, Vermont  has issued a severe daffodil warning for all of Vermont beginning today and lasting through at least this week. 

Isolated daffodils have already bloomed in some cold-protected, sunny corners in Vermont valleys. We also have widespread reports of daffodil flower buds.

This is an extremely welcome warning and you are in a life-improving situation! 

HAZARD TYPE: Daffodils, likely mixed with crocuses and eventually forsythia. Rising temperatures this week in Vermont, which could go as high as the 70s toward the end of the week, will encourage these blooms. 

TIMING: Daffodil blooms will spread across the state during the upcoming week as temperatures warm to above seasonal levels. Warmer valleys will see impacts first, starting mostly on Monday and Tuesday and increasing during the week. Daffodil blooms will gradually spread to higher elevations and the Northeast Kingdom late in the week or next week. 

IMPACTS: Daffodil blooms will cause increased levels of joy and the sense that spring is finally here. Motorists should try not to be distracted by roadside daffodils and perennial gardens brimming with the blooms in front of homes. 

Daffodil warnings will continue at least through this week.

When it's safe to do so, feel free to take photos and selfies with the daffodils. 

If there are many blooms that have accumulated on your own property, it is OK to take some indoors for spring bouquets. 

Considerable amounts of sunshine likely during the warning period are likely to make the beauty of the blooms more intense, so caution is advised. 

Additionally, crocuses have already developed and will continue to increase through the week. It's also likely forsythia blooms will mix with the daffodils, especially later in the week. While not an immediate threat, hyacinth and tulip blooms could also develop during later parts of the warning period. 

Residents are advised to stay near perennial gardens for further updates and warnings. 

Longer range forecasts indicate the daffodil warning will likely need to be extended beyond this week. There are growing signs that Vermont will also see an increasing risk of lilac blooms later this spring. Now is the time to start preparing for such a hazard.