7 Sure And Welcome Signs Of Spring In West Virginia

Spring is right around the corner, and we're so glad. But how can we tell spring is on the way? Here are seven sure and welcome signs of spring that are just starting to appear in some of the warmer portions of West Virginia (sorry, highlands - you've got a bit more winter to weather). Have you seen any of these happy signs of spring yet?

1. More daylight

Have you noticed that it's still light outside on the way home from work, or just after supper? Spring really is on the way!

2. Warmer weather

We know it's not necessarily here to stay, but those recent glimpses of warm sunshine have been so welcome after an extra cold midwinter!

3. Crocuses and other spring flowers

Yours might just be poking sharp green points up through the earth (along with the daffodils), but we've gotten reports saying that the crocuses are actually already blooming in places like Roane County.

4. Eggs

Do you have backyard chickens? Then you've likely noticed this sure and welcome sign of spring: more eggs.

5. Spring Peepers

Singing spring peepers are one of our favorite signs of spring in West Virginia. Have you heard them yet?

6. Ramps

It wouldn't be spring in the Mountain State without ramps! Watch for those to begin poking up out of the ground soon.

7. Mud

It might surprise you to find mud on a list of welcome signs of spring, but in a way, it is, at least in our book. Sure, we get tired of cleaning up after muddy boots. But that mud also means moisture for the spring plants. It means warmer temperatures. It means the blizzards of yesterday are shifting to the summer suns of tomorrow. It means spring is right around the corner.

And we haven't even mentioned the birds that are making their way back from their winter migration, the bees we've spotted out hunting for early flowers, or the redbuds that will soon be in bloom. On the flip side, of course, not all the signs of spring are quite so welcome. We're admittedly on the fence about mud, but both ticks and wind definitely belong on a list of sure and unwelcome signs of spring. And snakes - we're not sure where to put those, but we do expect to see them out sunning themselves soon as spring gets closer and closer!