The few days of warm sunshine we’ve so far enjoyed in the Okanagan have been a welcome break from grey cloud, chilly temperatures, rain and even more snow.
The warm weather makes us want to shed some layers, get outside and scream from the rooftops, spring is here!
Spring officially arrived this week – on Tuesday, March 20 – but we may not be setting out the barbecues and pulling on our shorts anytime soon.
It’s still possible we could experience cooler than normal temperatures this spring, so the snowbanks won’t be disappearing as quickly as some may like, and there’s always the potential for more snowfall.
But while it may hinder our social lives, the moderate temperatures and slow melt is a blessing in terms of our environment. You’ll probably have noticed on the few days we have had warmer temperatures – we had up to 10 or 12 degrees Celsius – how quickly the snow melts away. The few patches of grass that have been uncovered are sodden.
A slow melt will reduce the risk of flooded basements and riverbanks, and landslides caused by fast-flowing run-off.
Not only that, a cooler spring could help our chances of reducing the number and extremity of wildfires in our dry months – and last year’s fires are still at the forefront of most people’s minds, as many still struggle with the aftermath of lost property or income.
A higher than average snow pack in the mountains will help to keep our dry season from arriving too early, but it can only stave it off for so long. We need the moderate spring temperatures to help with that.
So the flip-flops, and even the summer tires, may stay in storage a few weeks longer than we’d like, but in the meantime, perhaps we can use our time wisely, beginning some extensive spring clean-up of potential wildfire fuel – dry and dead brush, fallen trees, etc. – on our properties, and getting a solid plan in place in the event that this summer ends up like last year.
We may want balmy weather and sunshine sooner rather than later – but I’m sure most can agree that more than anything, we’re hoping for altogether uneventful flood and fire seasons.
Black Press