Summer is starting.....

Question

saw one of those huge, tank-like campers from Germany today.....summer is starting......cruise ships will be docking soon....wood shed is almost empty......saw wood peckers and robins this week.....

Other Alaskans, how do you tell when winter is over ??

Answer

In Alaska, the transition from winter to summer is gradual, but there are some telltale signs that locals watch for to know that winter is officially over.

One of the first signs is the increase in daylight. By late April and May, most of Alaska sees much longer days, and in many areas, the sun barely sets at all. This is a clear signal that winter is retreating.

Wildlife activity is another indicator. Birds returning from migration, such as robins, swallows, and woodpeckers, are a classic signal. Seeing them regularly building nests and foraging around your yard usually means spring has taken hold.

Vegetation also provides clues. Snow melt exposes the ground, and the first green shoots of plants appear. In many areas, the ice on lakes and rivers begins to break up and flow freely.

The first time you see melting snowbanks and muddy roads consistently.
Seeing people transition from snow boots to lighter footwear and starting outdoor gardening.
Campers, RVs, and tourists returning, indicating the season for summer activities is beginning.

Other Alaskans also note the return of sounds and smells of summer: flowing water from thawed streams, the buzzing of insects, and the scent of thawed soil. Activities like wood chopping, boating, and early hiking start again.

First cruise ships or summer tourists arriving in towns and ports.
Local events and markets opening after winter closure.
Gradual increase in outdoor recreational activity, such as fishing and kayaking.

So while the calendar says spring, in Alaska winter often lingers until you see a combination of daylight, wildlife, thawing ground, and human activity signaling the shift. It’s a slow but delightful process, and many locals celebrate these first signs of summer with outdoor chores and adventures.

Summer is starting.....

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