Maybe that groundhog was right after all!
Arbor Doctor clients may start seeing early season services performed as soon as next week as it appears winter weather may rather abruptly come to an end and be replaced by a much milder pattern.
The winter of 2010-2011 started early and has been fairly harsh. In two months we have had more than the normal snowfall for an entire year, although liquid (including melted) precipitation remains below normal.
This week looks cold, then things change. Much warmer weather will begin to affect the area this weekend, and it currently appears that this pattern will continue for at least a couple weeks and possibly into March. Additionally, a very large winter storm which appeared to be on the horizon for later this week will move through the western and south central U.S. then be suppressed to the south of the Cincinnati area, thus sparing the tristate significant snow or ice.
Significant snow has been known to fall as late as April in Cincinnati, but as the ground warms any late season snows are not able to stick around very long. One fly in the ointment could be that a strong and prolonged warm spell in fary could encourage early bud break and increase the chances for frost and freeze damage to plants later in the spring. Like it or not, consistent cool weather is actually better for plants in the winter months.
In any case, expect to see things warming up and Arbor Doctor coming out of hibernation.