Spring Preview as Temperatures Climb in Vermont

At Bolton Valley Resort, skiers were experiencing spring skiing before the official start of spring

Some communities in Vermont saw record-breaking high temperatures Wednesday, as the state experienced an early glimpse of spring.

The state capital, Montpelier, had its previous March 9 high temperature of 61 tumble before noon, according to the National Weather Service. Montpelier would reach 67 degrees by late afternoon.

Burlington also broke a record. Its previous high temperature of 66 on March 9 fell to a new reading of 70, according to NWS data.

St. Johnsbury's 65 degree reading at 4 p.m. bested a previous 61 degree record for the date.

At Bolton Valley Resort, skiers were experiencing spring skiing before the official start of spring.

"When it hits 55, I don't wear a hat," skier Bob Simoni remarked as he boarded a chair lift at Bolton.

The resort saw temperatures in the mid-60s Wednesday, meaning soft snow, and skiers shedding equipment.

"I don't need them," skier Joel Melick said of his gloves, which he left in his pockets while he took runs down the slopes. "It's quite mild."

Wednesday's mild temperatures also meant an early return of Vermont's dreaded "fifth season," mud season.

The combo of thawing earth, melting snow, and the churn from tires turned the unpaved River Road in Duxbury into a rutty, mucky mess that was tough on cars.

The mud bog did not scare off a runner necn spotted dodging the deepest ruts in the road.

"I'll go back to the office and look a little more hardcore if I get dirty," the runner joked as she ran on the muddy road.

The warm days at Palmer's Sugar House in Shelburne have meant the sap has been running from Dave Palmer's maples.

"It may be a little too warm," he said of the temperatures Wednesday.

The sap he's collecting will all be boiled down to rich maple syrup, but Palmer said he wants the weather to turn chilly again, fast. Colder air would prolong the sap runs, Palmer explained, making for a stronger season.

"The upper 30s and low 40s during the day and below freezing at night would be ideal for all the sugar makers to continue to get sap flowing," Palmer told necn.

Ski resorts are hoping for colder weather too, a Bolton Valley spokesman said. The destination would like its machine-made snow to last a lot longer, and of course, Bolton and other resorts are still holding out hope for more snow storms.

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