NWS Climate Prediction Center. Full Text Outlook for April. Good Stuff!

[DoubleBrookMaple]

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/fxus07.html

Interesting that the Great Lakes region weather will be influenced by deep ice cover, and continued cold from the water after it melts.

This supports my theory that my area remains so much colder than close surrounding areas because of my heavy snowfall. I call it an "ice box" effect. I drive 2-3 miles down the road, and it often drops 5 degrees. Most years all my snow does not completely go away until May.

[Michael Greer]

The effects of what they call microclimate can be huge. My trees are all within 1500 feet of the river here in Potsdam, and at a fairly low elevation. My friend has twice as many taps at his place in Hopkinton, only six miles away, two hundred feet higher, and always a few degrees colder. I'm bringing in twice as much sap so far this year, and it will be interesting to see if he makes up for it at the end of the season.