Daffodils in Full Bloom March 19th 2012

This may only be the 2nd Spring Growth Update but the Daffodils are already in full bloom! They really progressed very fast this year in the extremely mild temps. Normally there is a time of no flowers between the Crocus Blooms and the Daffodil blooms, but this year it was so warm everything is kinda blooming at once! This garden of Daffodils was planted last fall, since they are are my favorite flower I made sure there were plenty to enjoy.

Forsythia Bush in bloom March 19th 2012

Forsythia bushes across the area are also now in full bloom, this is a new addition for me added this spring. I’ve never seen Forsythia in bloom but I really like their bright yellow flowers before the leaves. As odd as this sounds I talked to classmates that came back from Missouri last week and they said Forsythia was also blooming there, so it seems there is no difference this year across a wide area.

 Lilac leaves March 19th 2012

The lilacs are also no acceptation, They are well into full leafing out faze and the flowers are now exposed. Lilacs normally do not leaf out until around April 20th. 

Green Crabapples in Downtown March 19th.

As seen in the last post with the temperature report, Most of the earlier changing trees now have small leaves on them and look green. The Crabapples in Downtown seem to be especially far along compared to my part of the city, probably becuase it is warmer.

Japanese Lilac March 19th 2012

This is just another photo to show how green it is across the area. I seriously run out of words to describe just how odd it is to have things this green this early in the month of March. It is as green as Late April into May normally would be, and is downright unheard of!

Daffodils and Crocus Blooms March 19th.

One last shot of the a patch of my Daffodils, Many have said they really look cheery.

 Daffodils Clayton,WI March 19th 2012

I also wanted to take the opportunity to post this photo my brother took from my hometown. He reported the 1st Daffodils have just begun to bloom there, It seems home is just only about 4 days behind us!

It wont be long before im updating again because was walking today and noticed the Magnolia Trees are starting to bloom and there are many large impressive trees around the city! I will be sure to post photos when they bloom fully.

Low end severe storm in Olmsted County This Evening

Video from strong winds that hit Rochester during the evening of the 19th.

A low end severe storm hit the Rochester Area this evening in a line of strong thunderstorms that were seen across the entire area today as a eastward moving boundary sparked a long line of thunderstorms through the state. The storms came with strong winds, frequent lightning and brief heavy rain. One storm in particular got strong as it moved in southern parts of Mower and Fillmore counties, it moved northeast and hit the Rochester area, winds were over 50MPH in the immediate Rochester area, and even 58MPH at the airport which means it was enough for it to be considered severe. From my experience of the storm it came in very short but power bursts of very strong winds ahead of the rain, the winds really rattled agaist the windows. The gauge 2 blocked from my house registered a 53MPH wind gust in the storm, I did not see damage but the morning light will help. There are no other reports of any damage so far this evening as well.

Wind Gust Reports

Rochester Airport 58MPH
West Downtown Rochester 53MPH
Northwest Rochester 52MPH
Zumbrota 49MPH
Red Wing 45MPH
Oronoco 42MPH
Byron 41MPH