Hibernal Relapse

A week and a half into spring our humility-to-hubris ratio is being recalibrated with a hibernal relapse. Plenty of snow coming down this morning, followed tomorrow and Monday by “wintry mix” and rain. Just the sort of late March whiplash we hope to avoid. As do our precocious bulbs. And fruit trees just beginning to awaken in the orchard…

Saturday started with this warning.

Mixed Precipitation Expected: Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of one tenth to four tenths of an inch. Locally higher ice accumulations up to a half an inch are possible. (Source: Apple Weather, March 29, 2025)

Then this unsettling update.

Ice Storm Warning: Severity: Extreme / Extraordinary threat to life or property… Significant icing. Storm total ice accumulations one quarter to three quarters of an inch with locally higher amounts possible… Until 8 PM EDT Sunday. IMPACTS: Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel will be very difficult… Periods of freezing rain will continue, gradually changing to plain rain on Sunday. There will be high variations in ice accumulations across counties. (Source: Apple Weather, March 29, 2025)

I’m not especially superstitious, but I can’t help but remembering my exuberance a week and a half ago.

This newly arrived season is a weather warrior banishing hibernal doldrums and awakening our wintry world. A spirit warrior restoring our optimism and confidence. A social warrior beckoning us out of hibernation… (Source: Welcoming a Warrior)

Eternally optimistic. But not always correct!

And so we acknowledge this hibernal relapse, not so much as an anomaly, but as a predictable part of the pattern. Springtime’s ambition is infectious, but North Country March (and April) have long since tempered our expectations.

And, lest you think I’m pulling a quick one, we’re still a few days shy of April Fool’s Day. This hibernal relapse is not make believe. Not jest, nor trickery. It’s an opportunity for another snowshoe or cross-country ski outing. Another cozy evening by the hearth slurping lentil soup. And it’s a jumbo reminder how ready we are for bulbs to bloom, Canada Geese to migrate north, Lake Champlain to warm up enough for boating, and — in the not too distant future — asparagus time!