Lonnie Quinn's Long-Range Forecast: Expect Chilly Start To Spring
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Thursday is the day many of you have probably been waiting for -- the first day of spring.
It's been a brutal, colder-than-normal winter, and most of us are desperate for warm, sunny days. But CBS 2's Lonnie Quinn said we will have to wait a little longer.
New Yorkers Looking Forward To Spring
In his long-range forecast, Quinn says the Tri-State Area is facing a colder-than-average start to spring, with the first three weeks seeing temperatures hovering in the 40s when they should be in the 50s.
LINK: Check the forecast
Usually, at this time of year, daffodils and crocuses are in full bloom, but the New York Botanical Garden said many of these plants haven't yet caught on.
"It's very bare," said gardener Jonathan Riggers. "There's hardly any flowers out right now.
"Last year was so different than this year," Riggers added.
Quinn attributes the chilly conditions this spring to continuing cold air coming from northern Canada that could also bring spring rain and -- depending on how cold it gets -- possibly some lingering snow.
But it's not all bad news for spring -- there will be more daylight.
Starting Thursday, we'll see an additional 3 hours and 15 minutes of daylight compared with the first day of winter, because the sun is closer this time of year. And by mid-April, temperatures should be in the 60s with warm, dry air.
But will you need your umbrella?
The answer is yes and no.
The colder temperatures will mean fewer thunderstorms in the beginning of spring, but we'll still see rain -- and potential flooding in local rivers already filled to capacity from melting snow and ice.
As for planting those flowers, the experts say your best bet is to wait until at least April 1.
"You don't want to be planting anything when it's too cold," Rigger said.
That cold may actually also mean fewer bugs this spring.
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