March 21, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

65º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 7:43 p.m.

❄️ A look at little winters

The local signs of spring may be deceiving. | Photo by @photofern.wnc

By this time of year, most of us are ready to shake off winter frost and dive into spring sunshine. We pull shorts and sundresses from the depths of our closets — and then, the cold weather returns. Maybe for just a day or two, but it comes back. Then leaves. Then comes back.

It’s a common experience all across Appalachia. In fact, these cold snaps have been a regular occurrence for generations, and you’ve likely heard them referred to as “little winters” or “cold spells,” depending on your grandma’s personal vocabulary. Long before weather apps, the predictability of little winters was used to decide when crops were planted, ensuring farmers didn’t plant too early or too late and ruin a harvest.

Well since we seem to have recently found ourselves in the middle of one (cut to us frantically searching for sweaters mere days ago), we figured this would be a good time to forecast the six Appalachian little winters on the local horizon.

close up of a Redbud tree in bloom — Redbud Winter brings the chill.
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Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich via Pexels

Redbud Winter

Redbud Winter typically happens around mid-March or early April, when the redbud trees are in bloom. Heads up, this will become a pattern in the next few sentences, since most of the little winters are named after the blooming plants.

Dogwood Winter

This winter arrives next, in mid-to-late April, when the dogwood trees show their flowers.

Locust Winter

Depending on which Appalachian area you find yourself in, some measure it by the leaves appearing in April, while others rely on the blooms in May.

Blackberry Winter

This mid-May phenomenon occurs before the fruit is ready but when the flowers appear.

Whip-poor-will Winter

Belying the pattern established earlier and occurring usually in mid-to-late May, this winter is signaled by the bird’s song.

Cotton Britches Winter

Finally, this oft-forgot winter only happens when you finally put away your winter clothes.

The last spring frost for Asheville is predicted to be Saturday, April 13. But the moral of this story? Don’t stow your coats just yet.

Events

Thursday, March 21

Empowerment Collective Presents: Kahlani Jackson + Trina Gragg-Jackson | Thursday, March 21 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $15 | Network, learn, and find inspiration from the mother-daughter duo and Black Wall Street AVL Business Trailblazer Award recipients.
Sordid Lives | Thursday, March 21-Saturday, March 30 | Times vary | Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville | $21.75-$32 | See family chaos erupt as an elderly Texas matriarch meets her demise during a clandestine meeting in a seedy motel.

Friday, March 22

Rewilding Your Space | Friday, March 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Learn some practical tips for supporting healthy habitats — whether with a swath of land or just a balcony.
World Water Day 2024 | Friday, March 22 | 5-7 p.m. | RAD Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville | Free | Chat with French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson and grab a glass of “Stream of Conscience” — a portion of the sales benefit MountainTrue.
Drunken Prayer + Ramona Martinez | Friday, March 22 | 8 p.m. | Eda’s Hide-a-Way, 1098 Newstock Rd., Weaverville | $10 | Experience an Americana transcendence and an earnest honky tonk reimagining.

Saturday, March 23

The Asheville Flea | Saturday, March 23 | 12-5 p.m. | Wedge Brewing Co., 37 Paynes Way, Asheville | Free | Grab your shopping bags for a variety of vintage clothing vendors.
Light the Night Bike Ride | Saturday, March 23 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Get your glow on to learn about bike safety, build community, and earn some spoke lights + glow-in-the-dark accessories.
Spring Break! Comedy Showcase | Saturday, March 23 | 10:30 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $15-$18 | Let loose and just vibe at a comedy show celebrating the end of hard winter work.

Sunday, March 24

Mera Brothers Oyster Pop-Up | Sunday, March 24 | 12-2 p.m. | Botanist and Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St., Ste. 110 Asheville | Free | Meet the Mera brothers as they shuck fresh oysters directly from their NC farm — entrance is free, but food is priced a la carte.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Community

Asheville Downtown Association will present to the Asheville City Council on Tuesday, March 26, advocating a Business Improvement District (BID) downtown. At the State of Downtown event, the Association said a BID, an area that levies a fee on property owners for projects + services, would improve public health and safety. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Edu

Buncombe County Commissioners approved a budget for a school consolidation feasibility study, following the NC General Assembly September 2023 mandate for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County to review the feasibility of a school system merger. Prismatic Services was awarded the contract and will launch the study in April.

Civic

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted to begin negotiations with FCC Environmental Services as the possible new solid waste collection provider. The decision came down to two bids, one from FCC and the other from Waste Pro, and considered priorities like bear carts + premium service for eligible seniors.

Eat

If you’re curious about the restaurant opening this spring in the new Flat Iron Hotel, let us illuminate you. Luminosa’s chef Graham House and Chop Shop Butchery’s chef de cuisine Sean McMullen are offering a first taste of Luminosa’s locally sourced flavors this Friday, March 22 at Wedge Brewing Co.

Health

AdventHealth announced its plan to build a new multispecialty hospital in Weaverville, off US 25/70 west of I-26. The facility was originally slated to be built in the Enka Center off Smokey Park Highway, but that plan was abandoned in April 2023. (WLOS)

Announced

It’s a ground-breaking proclamation. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared March 19 to be Buncombe County Ag Awareness Day to recognize the local agricultural history and the role of farmers in Buncombe County. Check out the full proclamation.

Arts

Have you got an untold story inside you? Story Parlor is accepting applications for its summer 2024 Story/Arts Residency, offering rehearsal space, a stipend, creativity coaching, marketing, and public performances. The residencies spotlight the work of Asheville’s diverse fabric of voices. Learn more and submit an application.

Open

After four years of renovations, Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley is back open for business. The 700-acre resort, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has been in operation for 90+ years. If you don’t feel like a weekend stay and horseback riding, reservations at its restaurant Switchback are now open as well.

Award

If you know a North Carolinian who’s an eager beaver about native nongame species conservation or busy as a bee promoting wildlife diversity, then they might just qualify for a Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award. Submit a nomination to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission now through Sunday, March 31. (WLOS)

Featured Home

This Treehaven Community gem includes seven-plus acres of natural splendor, with a cozy wood cabin tucked right in the middle. Check out the open layout, brand-new kitchen, and exquisite wood craftsmanship on the walls + ceiling.*

Learn

Meet The Daily Upside, a free business newsletter that offers sharp analysis of the latest finance, economics, and market news. Navigate the complexities of inflation, rate hikes, and more without clickbait headlines. Join 1+ million subscribers when you sign up for free.*

Home

It’s time for beautiful, energy-efficient windows in your home. Save on new windows in Renewal by Andersen^®’s spring savings event — happening for a limited time only.*

Transit

Get talking about local transportation

AVLtoday_transportation_staff_city_of_asheville

The City is ready for a transportation conversation. | Photo via the City of Asheville

When it comes to public transportation, there’s no reason to just go along for the ride. So the City of Asheville is hosting Let’s Talk Transportation, a series of drop-in events to give community members face time with the City’s transportation team.

If you’re curious about parking garage projects or find yourself regularly ruminating on the state of bike lanes, the events will give you a chance to ask questions or learn about local transportation initiatives from the people who are putting them into practice. You can also offer your feedback and experiences to help shape priorities.

On Tuesday, March 26, staff will be at:

Burton Street Community Center, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Shiloh Community Center, 2-4 p.m.
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 4-6 p.m.

On Thursday, March 28, you’ll find the team at:

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 2-4 p.m.
Stephens-Lee Community Center, 4-6 p.m.

The Buy

These No. 1 best-selling women’s running shorts, because spring is officially here and that means more workouts outside (yay). Under Armour’s shorts have a built-in brief and are lightweight and breathable, thanks to sweat-wicking material.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

If this newsletter inspired you to abandon online weather prediction and start looking to the trees for climate updates, then it might be helpful to have some trees in your own yard (and not have to scour the local parks, searching for a dogwood). Arborist + tree whisperer T.J. Dutton will be teaching the Let’s Plant Trees workshop at the Asheville Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 6. Register to find inside tips on planting techniques for your own arboreal almanac.

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