10 Signs Spring is Coming – Despite 32″ of Snow on the Ground

I'm a perpetual optimist - most of the time. The glass is half full OK? Wait, the glass is frozen? My bad. The calendar on my phone insists that spring is here, but the scene outside my window contradicts that. How do we really know that spring has arrived?

1). More Daylight

Today the sun sets at 7:30pm in Duluth-Superior. We get to enjoy 12 hours and 32 minutes of daylight today, 4 hours more than we did back on December 21, 2022. That's progress.

2). Late March Sunburn Potential

Considering the sun is as high in the sky today as it was on September 15, it is theoretically possible to get a sunburn in late March. SPF-30+ is always a good idea.

3). Roads Stay Wet Even With Daytime Temperatures Below 32F

That higher sun angle means more of the sun's infrared radiation can keep darker (asphalt) roads wet vs. icy during the daytime hours. By the way, if anyone asks: snow melts from the bottom up. You can impress friends and family with that one. (then again maybe not).

4). Snow is Crunchy and Icy - Not Powdery

The cold snowfalls are over (I pray) and over time the crystalline structure of snow changes, becoming icier and granular. Falling on late March snow isn't as much fun.

5). Enough Sand In Your Garage To Require a Shovel, Not a Broom

You can measure a winter's severity by how much sand your car, SUV or truck has brought into your garage stall. Yep, spring clean-up will take longer this year.

6). Trying to Remember Neighbor Names

Maybe you're better at this, but every year around this time I see more neighbors while walking the dog, and invariably I forget a few names as my wife gives me the stink-eye.

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7). No More Condensation on the Inside of Windows

So long subzero fun - you may be able to turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees. Hardcore veterans are opening windows on the sunny, 40-something days!

8). Roof Rakes and Gurgling Drain spouts

We've already had our roof raked once and it was worth every penny to get experts out. Because I would have broken numerous bones trying to do it myself.

9). Birds are Chirping Away!

I hope the birds know something the meteorologists do not - maybe spring (and real warm fronts) will come sooner than we think? Birdsong is on the increase, and I think that's a very good sign.

10). Your Favorite Accountant is Calling

Ah, my favorite sign of spring - fun with taxes! May your W-2 graduate to a W-9 with plenty of 1099s to argue about with your tax preparer.

This list is far from complete. It's been the definition of a long, snowy winter in the Northland. But green is on the way, along with humidity, bugs, spring cleaning and growls of thunder. And then construction season.

Bring it.