Thread: Spring in December: Record warmth forecast for eastern U.S.

Gee, I was hoping for a string of cold nights, below 32 degrees, typical for the northeast USA area so the pollens, molds from fallen leaves, mosquito larvae, etc would die off.

Warmer temps also bring fungi, bacteria - oh our eco-system, oh our health!

Extended warm weather could cause problems

BY CARLET CLEARE MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 2015

Rochester, N.Y. - December's record-breaking temperatures may feel nice, but there could be issues if snow does not arrive soon.

"If we start to get into January and we still have mild temperatures, then we're going to start to have concerns about the health of a lot of plants," said Bob King, agriculture specialist at Monroe Community College. "We also have concerns with insects and pests and diseases having the ability to carry over through the winter."

King says flies lay eggs around this time, and the freezing temperatures kill them - so there's not an infestation of them in the spring. But because of the warm weather, that's not happening.

He also says plants grow in response to warmer weather and longer periods of sunlight. Some plants may be fooled into budding out, like some lilacs in Highland Park, and would be susceptible to freezing temperatures.

"Although we're not crazy about snow, we understand we need snow, we have to have snow, we having to have freezing temperatures and then snow, ideally," said King.

People who suffer from allergies may also be impacted if there is no freeze, and trees bloom. King says if there is a bloom and then a late freeze, the pollen counts are much lower and that would be easier on allergy sufferers.

http://13wham.com/news/top-stories/e...cause-problems

Christmas Eve warm weather is one for the record books in N.J.


Temperatures will be far warmer than normal on Thursday in New Jersey and elsewhere, according to AccuWeather.com. (AccuWeather.com)

By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on December 24, 2015 at 7:10 AM, updated December 24, 2015 at 9:18 AM

It's Christmas Eve on Thursday, not Memorial Day, even if the temperature feels more like late May than December.

Highs will climb into the mid 70s across much of New Jersey this afternoon, which is typical for the time of year when Memorial Day falls.

Records for Dec. 24 have already been set before the sun rises at 7:18 a.m. Temps were in the high 60s in many spots as of 7 a.m. — 69 in Newark and Trenton, 68 in Millville and 68 in Belmar, according to the National Weather Service.

Besides the warm weather, we'll contend with a chance of showers and thunderstorms for much of the day. Isolated strong storms with gusty winds are also possible.

There's a chance of more rain this evening as temperatures cool to the 50s.

On an average Dec. 24, temperatures range from the upper 20s to the low 40s in New Jersey.

Christmas Day won't be nearly as warm, though it will still be far milder than normal. There's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms as highs reach the mid to upper 60s.

The weekend could be wet as well — there's a threat of rain both days. Highs will be in the 50s on Saturday and the 60s on Sunday. Saturday offers the greater chance of precipitation, the NWS says.

http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/..._record_b.html