February 27, 2018: Spring Arrives Across Most of the U.S. Way Earlier than Normal

 

2/27/18: If we know anything about life in Trumpistan, we know climate change will never be considered a problem. According to E.P.A. head Scott Pruitt if the earth starts warming like a Dutch oven it might turn out to be good news, not a disaster for all humankind! (See: 2/9/18.) 

 

“Climate change is variably advancing the onset of spring.” 

Let’s hope so, since the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) just reported spring was arriving much earlier this year across wide swathes of the country. Almost the entire West Coast, large parts of Arizona and New Mexico and virtually all of Kentucky and Virginia and parts of many other states recorded spring-like temperatures fifteen to twenty days ahead of schedule. 

True: deniers can look at the map below and say, “Not so fast. Look, the Deep South has a delayed start to spring!” 

Reddish-brown areas have seen spring arrive sooner this year. 

This is true. Sadly, if a denier took the time to read the whole story, said denier would note that the overall trend is clear. Early springs are a sign of a changing climate, and they are coming with increasing regularity. Who says? Scientists. “We’ve known for over a decade now that climate change is variably advancing the onset of spring across the United States,” the USGS warns.