As El Niño Falls Apart, Spring May Come Early To MA: Forecast

MASSACHUSETTS — Most of the United States, including Massachusetts, is expected to see an unusually warm spring, according to a new forecast.

Although the vernal equinox on March 19 is typically observed as the first day of spring, meteorological spring starts on March 1. After a record-mild winter so far in many parts of the country, spring should arrive early, according to the forecast from The Weather Channel and Atmospheric G2.

Here's the outlook for Massachusetts:

March: Parts of the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest and Northeast could see well-above-average temperatures to start the month. Temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s next week in a pattern that is expected to hold for much of at least the next two weeks.

April: Temperatures are likely to remain above average in the northern U.S. while staying near or slightly below average in the Southeast.

May: The warmest spot relative to May averages is likely to continue to be the upper Midwest to northern New England with above-normal temperatures expected in southern New England as well. Above-average temperatures could spread through the Rockies and Plains as well as nearly the entire country normal to well-above-normal temperatures.

The only areas of the country that aren't expected to see earlier than normal warmth are areas of the Southeast. In the northern tier of states, spring is expected to be especially warm, while other areas of the country are expected to see above-normal or slightly above-normal temperatures,

A rapidly deteriorating El Niño climate pattern could mean a busier hurricane season and more active severe weather seasons or parts of the central U.S., Todd Crawford, vice president of meteorology at Atmospheric G2, said in a story for The Weather Channel.

"Given the expected rapid transition from El Niño to La Niña, and the increasing global warming trend, it has become difficult to forecast anything but anomalous warmth as we head towards summer," he said.

Less scientifically, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. According to lore, that meant winter would continue another six weeks, or until about March 15.

• Related: Did Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?