When Spring Wears a Winter Coat: Celebrating the Season Even When It Snows in April
Spring officially arrives in March, and with it comes the promise of warmer days, budding trees, and the cheerful return of birdsong. But if you live in a place where April snow isn’t just a possibility but a regular guest, you know the season doesn’t always arrive wearing pastels and sunshine. Any of us who have lived in the Berkshires for more than a year, definitely know this to be true.
Still, even with a dusting of snow on the daffodils, spring is worth celebrating—and maybe even more so when it’s wrapped in a bit of winter’s sparkle. Here’s how to lean into the beauty of this seasonal in-between and welcome spring with open (and maybe mittened) arms.
1. Let Nature Surprise You
There’s something undeniably magical about snow resting gently on new blooms. Crocuses poking through frosty ground. Robins fluffed up against a cold breeze. These little contrasts remind us that change doesn’t happen all at once—and that’s okay. Let nature’s rhythm guide you into spring with wonder rather than impatience. I know that I have heard the little hopeful birds chirping for weeks! If they aren’t losing hope, we can’t either !
2. Decorate Anyway
Put up your spring wreath. Arrange those tulips on the table. Light a candle that smells like fresh rain or blooming lilacs. Sometimes the simple act of bringing spring inside helps shift your mindset, even if you’re still wearing your winter boots outside. Even getting flowers from the store that have an amazing scent, such as daffodils, might just be a game changer!
3. Take a Walk in the Chill
Spring snow has a different feel from the deep freezes of January. It’s lighter, often melting by mid-afternoon, and the air smells more alive. Go for a walk, breathe in that earthy mix of thaw and renewal, and listen—really listen—for the sounds of spring under the silence of snow. There’s something poetic about it. When that sun shows itself, take a moment to sit outside and look up and soak it in. ( even if you’re still wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves lol)
4. Start Something New
Whether it’s clearing out a closet, starting seedlings in your windowsill, or journaling about the season ahead, spring—even with snow—is an invitation to begin again. Don’t wait for the “perfect” weather. New beginnings happen in all kinds of conditions. What changes would you like to see for yourself in this next season?
5. Embrace the Humor of It
Let’s face it: Snow in April is kind of funny. You just swapped out your winter gear, and now it’s back. Laugh at it. Take a picture of your snow-covered patio furniture and call it “New England chic” (or insert your region’s name here). Find the charm in the absurdity. It’s part of the experience. I know that I made the mistake of putting my ice scraper away last week ( I NEVER ….EVER.. do this before May and I forgot !)
So yes, it might snow in April. And that might feel frustrating when you’re craving sandals and sunshine. But spring isn’t just a temperature—it’s a shift, a stirring, a sense of hope. And that, snow or not, is always worth celebrating.
The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke