Signs of Spring Coming

I took these pictures from inside. I really didn't want to get my camera wet. When you look at the pictures in a large size you may see the fuzzy nature of the tree branches. I didn't really concentrate on showing that as I was more interested in showing the snow and ice cover on the pavement melting from the rain.

Yesterday the temperature rose to 1ºC (34ºF). Today it rose to 4ºC (39ºF). For much of the day it rained. This wasn't freezing rain or sleet or anything like that. It was rain and it started taking the ice and snow away a bit. We will get freezing days ahead but that's OK. The thaw has started. I also noticed that the branches of the deciduous trees have gone fuzzy. They are growing buds. I took some pictures of the way this looks. The sky is overcast and the wet pavement looks uninviting. The images look depressing but they're not if you know how to read the signs.

You can just make out a spray of water behind the vehicle, as the road it's on is quite wet.

You can see the lowest step covered with about half an inch of water. As the ground warms up the snow banks will recede and the water will go into the ground.

You can just make out a slight depression in the snow at the base of the two evergreen trees. Even though it's overcast the light hitting the trees tends to make the area just near them warmer so the snow opens up faster.