Early Spring Possible In MD As El Niño Falls Apart: Forecast

MARYLAND — Most of the United States, including Maryland, is expected to see an unusually warm spring, according to a new forecast.

Although the vernal equinox on March 19 is typically observed as the first day of spring, meteorological spring starts on March 1. After a record-mild winter so far in many parts of the country, spring should arrive early, according to the forecast from The Weather Channel and Atmospheric G2.

Here’s the outlook for Maryland:

March: Expect slightly above average temperatures for the state in March, except for the very southern tip of the state on either side of the Chesapeake Bay. Parts of the mid-Atlantic region could see above-average temperatures in northern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, while most of Virginia — the exception are the Northern Virginia counties — may see slightly below average temperatures, according to The Weather Channel.

April: Most of Maryland will see temperatures slightly above average in April, with the western counties even warmer, falling in the above-average forecast range. The rest of the mid-Atlantic region also warms up from the previous month.

May: The April trends in Maryland and northern Virginia/DC will continue as spring comes to a close. According to The Weather Channel, the warmest spot relative to May averages is likely to be the upper Midwest to northern New England.

The only areas of the country that aren’t expected to see earlier than normal warmth are areas of the Southeast. In the northern tier of states, spring is expected to be especially warm, while other areas of the country are expected to see above-normal or slightly above-normal temperatures,

A rapidly deteriorating El Niño climate pattern could mean a busier hurricane season and more active severe weather seasons or parts of the central U.S., Todd Crawford, vice president of meteorology at Atmospheric G2, said in a story for The Weather Channel.

“Given the expected rapid transition from El Niño to La Niña, and the increasing global warming trend, it has become difficult to forecast anything but anomalous warmth as we head towards summer,” he said.

Less scientifically, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. According to lore, that meant winter would continue another six weeks, or until about March 15.

• Related: Did Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?