January 2020 Record Warmth New York Metro Region

Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, and Bronx, NY

The 2019-2020 autumn-winter season resulted in anomalous blooms for Forsythia and Periwinkles -- Mamaroneck and Larchmont, NY, respectively on 27 September 2019 (record early for the New York City metro region. Other observations include a blooming Weglia Red Prince Bush (record early 28 September 2019), purple violets (record early 4 October 2017) and scattered apple blossoms (record early 14 October 2019) -- the former two in Mamaroneck, NY and the latter in Larchmont, NY. Quince also bloomed in Central Park, NY (record early 7 October 2019).

On 11 and 12 January, 2020 the temperature rose to record highs of 69 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. With only a few short bursts of cold weather, vegetables such as cabbage, kale, and thyme continued to grow while frogs and turtles, both cold-blooded amphibians have yet to hibernate and now have been present for a record late length into meteorological and seasonal winter. Their habits may perhaps be changing because of climate change such that one day they may no longer hibernate, vegetables (that include cabbage, curly kale, thyme, Swiss chard, have continued to grow through the duration of meteorological winter (1 December 2019-29 February 2020) in the metro NY area) will experience extended growing seasons and plants such as forsythia may experience double blooms every year.

Also of note, many chipmunks did not go into hibernation for the duration of meteorological winter with sightings at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY (12 January 2020), in Mamaroneck, NY (January and February 2020) and in Greenwich, CT (15 February 2020).

Adonis blossoms were present as of 8 February 2020 at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY while crocuses also began emerging on this same date in Mamaroneck, NY. Japanese apricot blossoms and irises were present by 17 and 23 February 2020, respectively at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY and daffodils were present by 22 February 2020 in Rye, NY. In addition, marsh marigolds began blooming in Larchmont, NY on 23 February 2020 and a primrose plant which had bloomed through 12 January 2020 in Mamaroneck, NY produced additional flowers that began to bloom on 24 February 2020. Hyacinths were present in Mamaroneck, NY as of 27 February 2020 followed by viburnum at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY on 29 February 2020.

Top. l.-r: Pansy (Mamaroneck, NY - Jan. 11, 2020), Cabbage and Curly Kale (New Rochelle, NY - Jan. 12, 2020); Middle l.-r.: Camellia, Frog, Bee (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY - Jan. 12, 2020); Bottom l.-r.: Turtle (Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY - Jan. 12, 2020), Mahonia (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY - Jan. 12, 2020) and Viburnum lantana (Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY - Jan. 12, 2020)

Sample Documentation:





Additional:


l.-r. Forsythia, Mamaroneck, NY (27 September 2019) and Periwinkle, Larchmont, NY (29 September 2019)


l.-r. Cherry Blossoms/Bee and Lady Bug, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY (12 January 2020) -- Courtesy of Don Sutherland


l.-r. Forsythia, New York, NY (15 January 2020) and Cherry Blossoms, Central Park Garden, New York, NY (15 January 2020)


l.-r. Chipmunk, Mamaroneck, NY (31 January 2020) and Adonis Blossoms, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY (8 February 2020) -- the latter, courtesy of Don Sutherland


l.-r. Daffodil, Rye, NY (23 February 2020), Japanese apricot blossoms and Irises, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY (23 February 2020) -- the latter two, courtesy of Don Sutherland