TOP PHOTO: There was frost on May 7, 2020.

By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The Redbuds are blooming, so I think it’s “Redbud winter” but if the Dogwoods open up, it could be “Dogwood winter.” Sometimes it’s hard to tell as there are several of these weather patterns that occur back to back this time of year.   

These spring cold snaps are called “little winters” in Campbell County and East Tennessee. There’s around six of them between now and May. They get their names from the plants and animals native to the area. 

Growing up I can remember my grandparents and parents talking about these different “little winters” and what they meant for spring planting and farming.

This time of year I always hear the little “spring peeper” frogs and it always reminds me of something my great grandma Parley would say about them…”They’ll be peeping through the ice!”    

These weather patterns are traditionally known as Redbud winter, Dogwood winter, Locust winter, “Sarvis” winter (after the Service Berry Tree), Blackberry winter, Britches winter (after linsey-woolsey long johns) and Whippoorwill winter (when the Whippoorwills sing). These occur in late March to mid May. Many are named after the plants that bloom during each particular cold snap.

Dogwood winter is probably my favorite because of the Dogwood blooms. Whippoorwill winter is the last to come and is always the mildest. I love to sit outside on my porch and listen to the whippoorwills. Happy spring! (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/01/2021-6AM)