When Will It Feel Like Spring In Massachusetts?

MASSACHUSETTS — Winter is in the very early stages of winding down in Massachusetts with the start of meteorological spring less than a month away, but don't plan on putting away the cold weather gear anytime soon, AccuWeather said Wednesday with the release of its 2005 spring forecast.

Meteorological spring starts on Saturday, March 1. Astronomical spring begins with the March equinox 5:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 20.

Here's how the private weather company sees spring shaping up in Massachusetts:

The first weeks of spring may feel more like winter across the northern half of the United States as there is a turbulent transition between the seasons.

January was one of the coldest in years, causing more ice to form on the Great Lakes. The extensive ice cover will suppress temperatures across the Midwest and parts of the Northeast through the start of spring, according to AccuWeather Long-range Expert Paul Pastelok.

Frosty mornings will be more common across the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and interior Northeast.

"The (frost) threat may last into the early to middle part of May," Pastelok said.

The tug-of-war between milder spring air and bursts of colder air could open the door for some late-season snow, especially across the interior Northeast and the Midwest.

Spring Snapshot Across The U.S.

A persistent pattern of stormy weather in the Pacific Northwest is expected to mean a colder start to spring.

"The storm track in the West can retreat quickly and center more over the Pacific Northwest and western Canada by March," Pastelok said. "The transition to spring will be near average or faster across the central Rockies."

Temperatures are expected to warm quickly in the southern U.S. during February and early March.

The severe weather season is expected to be similar to last year's with the frequency of tornadoes and damaging storms increasing as spring progresses. AccuWeather said there's one major difference — the epicenter is expected to shift from traditional "tornado alley" to cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis and others in the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys.

The cooler air around the Great Lakes should tamp down severe weather across most of the Midwest and Northeast until May.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to be common across from the Plains through the Southeast. Florida may miss the rainfall and see drought conditions by May, Pastelok said.

The Southwest is expected to remain dry and heat up quickly, which AccuWeather said will allow drought to expand and intensify from Southern California to the southwestern Plains. The warmest temperatures of spring are expected to be found in Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.