Denmark's Cold Winter; Freeze To Delay Washington’s Cherry Blossoms; Aomori Orchards Under Deep Snow; + Japan Blames Its Record Snowfall On 'Global Warming'
Global warming reduces snow. Except when it increases snow. Under this framework, every possible outcome appears to confirm the same conclusion. “A theory that explains everything explains nothing.”
Denmark’s Cold Winter
Denmark has recorded its coldest winter in 13 years, according to the Danish Meteorological Institute.
The Dec–Feb average came in at 1.5C (34.7F), about 0.5C below the 1991–2020 climate normal.
The colder outcome came despite a very mild December. January and February that followed were markedly colder, driving the overall average down. January was Denmark’s coldest in 16 years, with each month averaging just below the freezing mark.
The country logged its snowiest winter in 13 years, with multiple snowfalls disrupting travel. Despite the frequent snowfalls, the season was actually very dry: just 114.8 mm (4.5 inches) of precipitation fell, about 40% below the winter norm.
Snow contains far less liquid water per unit of precipitation than rain. In cold conditions, small amounts of moisture can generate repeated snowfalls and lasting snow cover while total precipitation remains relatively low.
Freeze To Delay Washington’s Cherry Blossoms
Washington, D.C.’s iconic cherry blossom season may arrive late this year after months of unusually cold weather slowed the trees’ development.
Each spring, more than 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the U.S. capital.
The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, running March 20 to April 12, marks the blooming of the trees first gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912.
But in 2026 the blossoms are lagging.
