A Pretty Typical April Saturday In Vermont As Record February Warmth Continues.

That didn't take long.

A rare sight for February, but one that is becoming less
rare in the age of climate change. February 10 and
there's no snow to be seen in my 
St. Albans, Vermont yard. 

At the stroke of midnight, or let's call it 12:01 a.m. Burlington, Vermont already broke their record high for today's date.  The old record for Saturday, February 10 was 46 in 1925 and 2001.  That old record was the lowest record high of the year, but still it's a record. 

It's quite strange to see a record high hit when it's normally the coldest part of the day. 

The low temperature of the day usually comes around dawn. The normal low today is 13. At dawn today, it was 48 degrees, a whopping 35 degrees warmer than it should be.

Since the temperature was just under 50 degrees this morning, we'll probably have three consecutive days in the 50s in Burlington. 

This will only be the third time since at least the 1880s that we had three or more consecutive days with readings at 50 degrees or higher in February.

The other two times were in 2017. when Burlington had by far its all time hottest February day with a temperature of 72 degree; and in 1981, which had six straight days in the 50s. 

Burlington also tied their record high for Friday, reaching 53 degrees.

In terms of February heat waves, then, this one is kind of impressive. 

TODAY DETAILS

Today will be a pretty typical April day in Vermont.  There will be quite a few clouds around, with breaks of sun here and there.  I noticed a photo on Facebook of a crocus blooming in St. Albans, Vermont yesterday. I imagine this weather could bring out a few more of those. 

As is tradition for April - not February - we'll have scattered showers around.  Because it's so warm, a couple  of those showers might contain a rumble of thunder. I noticed there was already a lighting strike or two in western New York early this morning, and that activity is heading east. 

We won't get much rain out of these showers. Most of us should see a tenth of an inch or less. This is shaping up to be a very dry February. There's no big storms that I see coming in the near future. 

I imagine as well that Vermont maple producers are getting an early season sap run in.  Sugaring season is most coming earlier than it once did, thanks in large part to climate change. 

Note that this February heat wave has created a full on mud season in Vermont. Overnight temperatures, especially in western Vermont, have stayed well above freezing. This has allowed the dirt roads to become mud bogs.  Stay off the roads if you can. If you can't make sure you're driving a vehicle that can make it through a lot of muck

This state of muddy affairs should last through Sunday.

OUTLOOK

After today, it'll start getting cooler.  Heck, it almost can't possibly get hotter, so it will have to get chillier. 

The cool down will be a gradual process. It'll still be on the warm side on Sunday, but not anywhere near record highs. It should get up to about 40 degrees or so. Still quite warm for this time of year. 

Monday will be a tad cooler yet - in the mid and upper 30s, but that's still warm. 

After that, we get back to winter, which should settle in for a spell.  Starting Tuesday and continuing on all week at least, afternoon highs probably won't get above freezing.There are signs, actually, that we could have pretty normal winter weather possibly through the end of the month. 

At the same time - so far at least - I also don't see any really extreme Arctic cold headed our way, either. 

The dry weather pattern will continue on as well.  A storm should clip southern Vermont with some snow Tuesday.  It looks like the storm will go a little too far to the south to give us much, but of course it's being monitored in case it takes a jog to the north.

After that, just little systems will come through occasionally for the next week or so. Each one would produce a little light snow or flurries but nothing wild.