28 February 2024

The month of March is historically the most effective month for tapping maples to gather sap for maple syrup. The sap runs greatest with daytime temperatures above freezing and nights beneath freezing. When the times are too scorching the sap turns into bitter. When the nights don’t freeze the sap stops operating and the season is over.

This winter we’ve had yo-yo climate within the Northeast and Nice Lakes states. You possibly can see it within the forecast highs this week from Tuesday 27 Feb via Sat 2 March. The chilly entrance coming via right this moment will lead to two nights beneath freezing. Then temperatures will rise once more into the 60s. You possibly can see the brand new blob of scorching climate approaching from the Nice Plains on Saturday 2 March.

Maple sugar farmers have needed to modify by beginning the season each time the sap runs — in Pennsylvania which may imply January — and pausing the season when the temperature goes up too excessive in hopes it is going to drop once more.

This information article from Minnesota reveals what their maple farmers are coping with.