Subzero temperatures, rain mixed with snow and crocuses that have literally bent over. This year’s spring is roughly as late as 150 years ago, that is, two weeks later than it usually is in the 21st century.
For the ninth year in a row, the spring inspection is being carried out – a citizen project where the public during the Walpurgis weekend reports how far six plants have progressed in flowering and leaf cracking to the Swedish Botanical Association.
It is compared to data collected 100 to 150 years ago. In normal cases, spring now comes two weeks earlier than in the 19th century. But this year it surprises plants and animals by being about as late as then.
– The winter has been quite mild and you get a bit of a spring feeling, but then a setback comes and the species around us react to that. Plants that have started their flowering and are ready to be pollinated, but no insect comes, says Moa Pettersson, board member of the Swedish Botanical Association.
Confused Migratory Birds
And not only that, it can’t seem to decide when it’s time to strike and becomes ours without hesitation.
– Migratory birds come here, it could be tufted whips that got a little spring feeling and flew to Sweden, land in a field and then they get snow all over them. Then it becomes very difficult to find food.
Many of the species we have in the Nordics are adapted to stable seasons. It should preferably be a solid winter followed by a thawing spring and then a warmer summer. This spring, which has gone from early summer heat to almost winter cold – is no height for many plants. But most can handle it.
– Many species make a faster sprint when the heat comes and then finally catch up, says Moa Pettersson.
In the player above: Hear Moa Pettersson explain more about the late spring.