Sunny, 60-degree days followed abruptly by a bone-chilling freeze.
Play this scenario over every few days, and you’ve experienced Winter 2022 in the Midwest.
After such a topsy-turvy winter, can residents in the Springfield, MO, area expect bright, warm weather for the spring?
Spring 2022 officially begins on the static meteorological calendar March 1, while the astronomical calendar – or the season based on the position of Earth’s orbit in relation to the sun – blooms on March 20. The season doesn’t wrap up until June 21 on the astronomical calendar, so there’s ample opportunity for a wide range of weather conditions in the Springfield area.
Additionally, La Niña is expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere spring. A transition to ENSO-neutral isn’t favored until at least May, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). La Niña continues to be the major driver of the predicted climate during March, April and most of May 2022.
Keeping you on your toes
Mother Nature always has a way of keeping us on the ball, and 2022 will likely be no exception. AccuWeather reports that although temperatures in many parts of the country will be slow to warm, the Midwest will experience a notable setback headed into either late March or April. Cold air will again chill the region, bringing potential for frost and freezes about one or two weeks later than normal. Farmers and gardeners may have a tough time deciding the best time to plant.
Once warming begins, the Midwest region should be on an upward trend. The National Weather Service’s long-lead temperature outlook favors above-normal seasonal temperatures from the Southwest, across the Central and Southern Plains to most of the eastern half of the contiguous U.S. Above-normal precipitation amounts are also likely, as shown in the outlooks below.
Source: National Weather Service / NOAA
Source: National Weather Service / NOAA
Severe weather ahead
As for severe weather season, forecasters expect it to hit early and hit hard. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms will likely start as early as the end of February.
Moving forward, the month of April is forecast to be a particularly active month in many parts of the U.S. The Farmer’s Almanac anticipates April in the Rockies and Plains to be a “meteorological swizzle stick,” stirring up snow, wind, rain, severe thunderstorms and even a few tornadoes.
Tornadoes and flooding likely
April will likely also be the busiest month for tornadoes across the U.S, with more than 200 twisters projected to touch down in one month alone. This is more than double the number of tornadoes reported last April. Notably, many of these storms are expected to take place outside of the traditional “Tornado Alley.”
Source: AccuWeather
Preparing for storm damage
Spring weather might be a toss-up, but preparing for it is not. Ensure you are properly prepared before a tornado or flood strikes. The most important thing is to equip yourself so the effects of a storm don’t paralyze you in their aftermath. Keep flashlights and other essential supplies in a secure area and make sure your generator is fueled and operational as your area recovers from tornado damage.
Whether you experience flooding or tornadoes this season, ServiceMaster DSI has you covered. With 24/7/365 disaster restoration services, we’re ready to respond in your time of need. Call ServiceMaster DSI anytime at 417-895-9685 for storm damage cleanup, water mitigation and mold remediation services in Springfield, Branson, Nixa and Ozark, MO.
