John Wheeler: Mild weather is coming, but spring is a long way off

FARGO — It has been a very cold February up to now. Milder weather has now taken over, but this is not a false spring. Not even close.

In our climate, there cannot be a false spring in February. The weather this winter has been on and off. More than half the winter has been warmer than average, but the cold periods have been quite cold, particularly the recent wave.



Long range models have for some time now been suggesting more cold weather for early March. Although long range weather models are not to be taken on faith, the concept follows the rhythm of the weather this winter. Northwest flow this winter has delivered two distinctly different results.

It has either been very cold with air from the Arctic or very mild with air from the Pacific. Both regimes have been moisture-starved, keeping the snow cover unimpressive.]]>.