Thursday, January 27, 2022

Spring Has Sprung--In January

Winter has been non-existent here. It's been warmer and drier than usual. Rainfall totals have been far below what is normal, although we have had plenty of grey skies. New year's eve was the warmest on record. Our first winter in Ireland, we frequently commented on how springlike it was, but even then we had cold days, frost, icy mornings, and some snow. This is the first winter I have not turned on the heat and I have had windows open on several days in December and January, including today when they were all open for a while. This may be the new normal. It's what the scientists predict for Ireland as a result of the climate crisis. In any case, things are leafing and flowers are blooming. It's too early, but the colours are beautiful nonetheless.



Whatever the weather in your neck of the woods, I hope you're having a great day!

8 comments:

Rostrose said...

Dear Shari,
yes, I also think that this is the new normal when it comes to climate... Here in Austria, winter still EXISTS (as you can see in my recent post), but it has changed here, too. Although there was a short phase with low temperatures around -10 ° C, it also quickly begins to thaw again and the birds are chirping like in spring. There IS snow, but it comes less often and melts away faster than before. And we don't have enough rain either (apparently in contrast to some regions in Germany, because my German blog friends sometimes complain about a lot of rain and gray days...) - instead we have a relatively large number of sunny days in Lower Austria, which I think is nice on the one hand, on the other hand I find it questionable... The same thing happens to me with your Irish January blossom photos - it pleases my eyes and it makes me worried... Sigh! But we will probably have to live with it. So we must try to reap the benefits.
All the best after my blog break,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/01/blogpause-beendet.html
PS: You wrote to me about the vaccination: "I had the same issues and timing of them as Edi with my second and third jabs (I had Pfizer/BioNtech for all three" - like you, I had 3 x Pfizer; Edi had Vaxzevria® from AstraZeneca twice, the booster vaccination was then Pfizer /BioNtech. I believe the vaccination reactions come independently of the vaccine, but the stronger the immune system, the more severe the reactions.)

Shari Burke said...

I'm glad you had such a great time on your blog break! Yes, we will have to live with this and more.

I do have an overactive immune system, which is why I react to lots of stuff--right now my body thinks it's March or April and is responding accordingly. :-( I rely on winter to rest up and recover from spring and summer, which are hard for me, but I guess I will have to do without that now. Compared to what so many others are already experiencing because of climate change, it's minor.

Vicki said...

It's cold here in Florida. It was 29°a few days ago with frost covering my car windows that I had to scrape off and the yard was covered. I thought if it rained we might get some snow but nope. The next day it was 34° and it rained. I was not happy. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 67° and Sat. 48°. Crazy! The flowers are beautiful!

Shari Burke said...

That is crazy! I guess even 67 can feel chilly when you're used to warmer temps, nevermind freezing temperatures!

NanaDiana said...

Wow! I would take a bit of that Spring for sure. This morning we are MINUS 5˚F..and that does not include wind chill factored in. Sooo cold. A good day to stay inside and read and drink coffee. xo Diana

Shari Burke said...

That is cold. I would love to have a nice brisk walk in the cold!🙂

Joy said...

Gorgeous images! Do you know what the blue one at the bottom is called?
It is concerning to be sure at the drastic change of weather and how sort of difficult it is to really figure-out from area to area even when a place is relatively similar location 'on the planet'. Example: So even as far south as (Maine) or NS and E Canada is under extreme snow and ice storms atm but you guys are having early spring. I know years ago Scandinavia started having warmer winters where the common 'ice freeway' system couldn't be used as much anymore. All sorts of roads had been made year after year 'after the freeze', but having it get frozen ENOUGH is not always happening. For those who live out on islands where you could drive to their house roughly 7+ months a year they've had to figure-out boat options. It is odd now to see driveways and garages just off the water tho and wonder 'ok how is that a thing?' If the water rises, as they suspect, it'll have to be cement-walled over.

Shari Burke said...

I don't know what any of the flowers are, but the colour of the bottom one is striking. Don't think I have seen that shade before!

Same in Alaska, even when we were there. And it's only gotten worse. ☹️