We have some cotton wood groves along a river about 50 miles from my home at approx 3,500 ft elevation that were showing signs of frost about 10 days ago. Bottom limbs had some nipped leaves that were yellowing. We haven't suffered frost here just yet (4,900 ft), but dipped to 37* about a week ago. Thing is, we haven't had a spring snowstorm here for 2 consecutive years, and just missing the first one had myself and others wondering. When we get spring snowstorms, we're talking blizzard conditions...wind, cold, and snow piled up 1/2 to 2/3 the height of streetlights. Roads closed in all directions for 75-100 miles or more. Last winter was relatively mild, with below average precipitation and above average temps for our area.
All indications in our area are pointing towards the beginning of a 50 or 100-year cycle, myself (or, however long it may be). Could be a long, cold winter...filling the freezers and pantries and having generator fuel on hand for several days of power outage will be part of my plan (winter storms can down powerlines, or overload substations due to the increaded load for comfort heating). I can run my forced air furnace and the indoor refrigeration, lights, etc, before breaking out any of the serious emergency gear...we will survive.
Eric