Oklahoma's Mild Winter May Mean Active Severe Weather Season

Many people wonder if our warmer than normal winter will mean a more severe Spring storm season.

Others are concerned about their trees and plants blooming early, and what will happen if we get a hard freeze?

"It could move it up in terms of the start time, whether or not that means it's an early finish time or not, again that's anybody's guess at this point," said News On 6 Meteorologist Alan Crone.

Crone says there are still a lot of unknowns, but the mild winter weather could have an impact into Spring.

With little cold this winter, the Gulf of Mexico is warmer, which could mean more fuel for Oklahoma thunderstorms.

"That allows the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to have a better chance of flowing northward ahead of these storm systems as they develop. So odds are we will probably have an active severe weather season," Crone said.

Others are worried about tender buds and blooms arriving early, with the potential for an Oklahoma cold snap still ahead.

Master Gardener Sandie Bailey says anything that blooms off old wood would be susceptible.

"Old wood is old wood that was produced last year and would then produce a bloom this year," Bailey said.

Bailey says the potential impact and protection strategies, depend on the type of plant.

"The Bradford pears, yes. Those blooms would be knocked off, and they won't come back," she said.

Oklahoma records show, freezes can happen into the middle of April. Each passing day is like a point in our favor, but also gets us closer to the heart of storm season.

Either way, both Crone and Bailey say we should all just enjoy Springs early start.

"I wouldn't say to worry about it you know, for a gardener, a dead plant is another planting opportunity," Bailey said.

"Obviously we're just along for the ride," Crone remarked.

Oklahoma's last date for a hard freeze is typically March 18th. March 7th for a killing freeze.

02/24/2012 Related Story: Mild Oklahoma Winter Could Cause Critter Problems