Spring or deception: The Nebraskan “fool’s spring”

I’m sure that recently we have all been spending a lot of time outside and have been benefiting from the lovely weather all around us. Unfortunately, I am here to break the news that what you see now is not as it appears. Sure, it is sunny and in the 70s now, but in a week or so we might be seeing snow and cold weather again. What we find ourselves in now is the Midwest phenomenon known as “fool's spring.”

Fool’s spring is when it goes from being cold to very mild out seemingly out of nowhere. Everyone goes outside and enjoys the weather as much as they can, not realizing that they are really in the eye of the storm. Typically, fool’s spring is followed by at least another week or more of frigid temperatures and on occasion, even snow. These are the final death throes of winter before spring fully makes itself known. 

Fool’s spring is characterized by out-of-state individuals believing they have made it through winter and that spring is finally here. These poor souls are often completely thrown off guard when, in the following weeks, their outdoor adventure plans are completely ruined with the onset of another winter storm. It truly is a time of great deception, followed by even greater suffering.

But don’t be discouraged if you aren’t from around here. Fool’s spring is a consistent annual occurrence. The Midwest weather is cruel and cold during the winter months, but sometimes it can be gracious and release us from its icy embrace earlier than normal. Other times, however, it likes to toy with our psyche and will curse us with multiple false springs before it finally grants us with warm weather near the end of April. 

We may find ourselves in the midst of a fool’s spring, or perhaps we really are on the threshold of warmer weather. Only time will tell. 

Update from future me: Well, time has indeed told, and it has called me a naive fool. I assumed that we would have at least one more week of nice weather before winter reared its ugly head, but given the snow on Monday, I was dearly mistaken. We are back in winter’s cold embrace for just a little longer, but spring is indeed around the corner. Just be cautious in the meantime, lest any day of nice weather make you a fool like it did me. 

By Caleb Schaber