The cold weather we’re experiencing is right on time for Dogwood Winter.
Last week we had a couple of days that felt more like July than April, but I knew the heat wasn’t here to stay just yet.
Friday morning on my way home from town I noticed dogwoods in bloom along Doosenberry hill. I failed to notice the ones blooming right here in Wilson holler till a few days later 🙂
dogwood winter noun A frost or freezing spell in mid to late April when dogwoods are in bloom.
1952 Wilson Folk Speech NC 533. 1962 Dykeman Tall Woman 14 And after the cold spell, when dogwoods bloomed, there would be whippoorwill winter and blackberry winter. “Dogwood winter” happens in April, but it is soon followed by anothr spell of cold called “blackberry winter,” which occurs in May when blackberry briars put out their delicate flowers. 1970 Vincent More of Best 64 Sometimes dogwood buds burst into full bloom up here, and the very next day top coats won’t feel a bit too warm. This is what we in these parts call “Dogwood Winter”. 1982 Smokies Heritage 123 In the warmth of Spring may come a sudden chill, with even a hint of snow. This is “dogwood winter,” usually here when dogwood blossoms hang white upon the trees and wildflowers are beginning to appear. 1994-97 Montgomery Coll. (Adams, Brown, Cardwell, Shields).
—Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English
There are several little winters in the mountains of Appalachia. Dogwood and blackberry are the ones you hear about most.
I find the weather lore of little winters fascinating. I love thinking about the folks who noticed year after year a cold spell occurred when a certain thing was blooming or happening in nature.
Last night’s video: Spring Chores & Lying to Granny.
Tipper
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Somehow this year I missed dogwood winter completely. No frost here. Have had daytime temperatures in the 60’s but low humidity if sunny (no clouds today or yesterday) or it was raining; just kinda normal spring weather. This has been an odd spring all-round. Dogwoods here are solid white, or pink as the case may be and azaleas are blooming. Randy, I have not experienced the parting you have so I cannot share it. But I know about what some have called a “desert experience”. The tender hearts here on BP&A feel for you and ask the good Lord for His best for you.
The dogwoods are blooming and there were flurries yesterday morning in Boone, NC, a cold blustery day that struggled to reach 40 degrees, old man winter hanging on a little longer.
Informative! I love Dogwoods. 28 degrees in my part of WV this morning. Last Saturday was 80 degrees! Ha.
Tipper–Of all the little winters of late March and April, I have to reckon that when it comes to names the one I like best is “catbird squall.” The squall part offers the proper image of sudden, sharp wind and rain or even snow, while another use of the word (think squalling baby) evokes thoughts of a noisy, quarrelsome catbird. Since catbirds usually arrive while returning from their winter vacations in more southern and salubrious climes about this time of year, the description fits.
Praying for you, Randy. John 16:22
Randy, I pray for you many times and wish for you to find comfort in all the prayers we all send out to you. Please find joy in the simple things each day until you see your precious family members again. We have dogwood blooms now and crabapple blooms and our blueberries are about to bloom. Love and prayers to all of you and especially to Granny.
We had ‘pellet’ snow yesterday morning and freezing temperatures the last two nights. Haven’t seen any hummingbirds out yet, but I set the feeder out every morning. Put seed out for the birds and unintentionally attracted a flock of turkeys; now I have gobbling and twitterpating all over my yard!
Thinking of you Randy – I lost my husband in 2017 after a 2 year battle with mesothelioma cancer that spread from his lungs to his liver and bones – life is never the same after one loses the love of their life – I pray gentle comfort will wrap around you on this day of remembrance.
It’s a beautiful dogwood winter! The colors of spring are absolutely radiant. Even the grass looks greener! God is so good!
Tipper, watched last night’s video this morning. Your comments at the made me teary eyed. Family is everything. We are so blest.
Randy-focus on the good memories today!
Yes we’re having Dogwood winter here in flat NC. We had 3 days last week in the low 80’s, this morning it was 38.
We’re having Dogwood Winter in Richmond, Virginia. We had a frost warning and we had frost this morning.
It’s cold here in KY regardless of what we choose to call this frosty morning. The dog’s water was frozen in her bowl out by the back steps and the heavy frost looked like a light snow when I walked outside at daybreak. More rain with thunder is expected tonight and tomorrow. I’m so anxious to be able to ride down in the bottoms and see if my ramps are ready. The huge patch is close by the creek, so I’m afraid they are still under water from the flood.
Randy, I already said a prayer asking for your day to be filled with happy memories of the time you spent with your wife. The best birthday gift your grandson could receive would be to see you happy again.
I have a light frost and a bloomin dogwood this morning.
Yes, it’s Dogwood Winter here on the Cumberland Plateau too. The Redbud trees are brilliant as always. I love this time of the year.
Randy, I am holding you in the Light as this is a difficult anniversary for you. I hope your grandson has a wonderful birthday and that he feels the love you have for him.
Randy, I want you to know my heart is with you on this day and I’m sorry you’ve lost your wife. It was a cold, nippy morning here in WV yesterday and today. There’s frost on the truck hood. I put my figs and Boston ferns in the house last night and the night before. My plants are making it under grow lights, but not the first sign of any pepper just yet and I don’t understand it. April is just a fickle tease in the weather department so what can we do? I keep my winter coats out year round now. Who knows what will happen next??? lol have a blessed day and keep warm if you can…
It’s 25 here this morning and I see a heavy frost on my neighbors roof. He lives across the road, but many times his yard and roof will be covered in frost and it has not frosted in our yard. We live slightly up a little hill and the sun always hits our side more…don’t know if that has anything to do with it. I just hope it didn’t get our apple trees. We are a little behind you here in North Central WV…our dogwood trees aren’t blooming just yet. We have lots of buds but they haven’t opened. It’s gonna be another sunny day! Have a good one!
Folks were so astute back then. I love the term “sugar snow” for when they figured out just the right weather pattern that made the sap run good in the maple trees. I just always tell my kids, “don’t ever trust April!”
…..and it will be Blackberry Winter before too long.
We also had several days last week of near record high temperatures. The possibility of frost was predicted for this morning but I don’t think there has been any. Last night, I did cover up my peony that my Grandmother planted many years ago. It is full of buds that will open soon. I had rather be safe than sorry with it. The dogwoods are blooming, they are one of my favorite things of.spring. Along with dogwood winter and blackberry winter, my Daddy always said there would usually be a few cold days around Easter. I have looked at the extended forecast and sure enough there are a couple of mornings predicted to be in the upper 30’s to 40 degrees next week.
Please keep me in mind today, 4 years ago today, my wife had her heart surgery and a blood clot formed during the surgery. Even though her death certificate has April 15 on it, for me she died today. My life, joy and happiness as I once knew it was totally destroyed with her death. Today is also my oldest grandsons birthday, he will be 25 and is one of few joys I still have.
Sending prayers for comfort on this sad anniversary.
Happy Birthday to your grandson.
Randy, reading your comment about the loss your wife really caused me to cry. I am so happy you have your grandson in your life. Remember grieve can last a lifetime. We unfortunately have to learn to live with it. But remember when you are feeling overwhelmed God is carrying you to help you make through the toughest days. Also please know there are people all over the world that truly empathize with your loss. Unfortunately we have many losses over a lifetime please keep in mind you’re not alone! Have a blessed and beautiful day! You touched my heart and made the many losses of my loved ones a little easier for me today. I hope I did the same for you! God bless you and keep you in the palms of his hands!! Esme’
So sorry for your sadness/grief and grateful for the joy of grandchildren. May your joys abound in the days ahead….
May God bless you Randy. I lost my husband 10 years ago, I understand your grief. I hope your grandson has a lovely birthday and can see you smiling.