Spring in Smithville

By Michael Westblade

Anna Faltermeier/The Smithville Herald Drew Gaston, 6, of Kansas City and his cousin Mikaela Cabreros, 8, visiting from Indianapolis, play on playground equipment Friday, May 2, near Smithville Lake. Both kids went to the playground after an afternoon of fishing at the lake.

Even though spring officially started March 20, in Missouri, there’s no telling what the weather may bring next.

Andy Bailey, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it’s still too early to tell what kinds of weather spring and summer will bring to the area.

“Temperature-wise, there’s no clear signal,” he said. “Basically, there’s an equal chance temperatures will be above normal, below normal or normal. It’s really too close to call.”

The only thing that is apparent about this spring, Bailey said, is the amount of rainfall the area has seen.

“I’m sure people have already sensed it, but it’s been a wet year,” he said

With the extra rain the area has seen and the mercury crawling back up, it may be time to start thinking about sprucing up your yard with some new greenery. Smithville resident Kim Swopes said she’s happy to get back in her garden.

“I like to plant flowers; that’s my favorite thing about spring,” Swopes said. “And I like that the kids can go play outside and aren’t shut inside, driving me crazy.”

Although the sun is shining, and it seems like the perfect time to plant, you still need to be cautious, said Dan Fuller, vice president of Full Features Nursery Landscape Center, because there’s still a chance of frost until about May 15.

“A lot of people set things out earlier, but they’re taking a risk because we can have frost as late as May 15,” he said. “You can plant seeds prior to that; you just don’t want to have any new growth until the last frost hits. It’s Missouri. If you live in Missouri, just remember what the weather does.”

If you have new growth in your yard and a frost hits, Fuller said you can still save your plants by placing a sheet over them. Just don’t use plastic, because cold transfers through it and will still cause frost damage.

Another tip for rookie planters, Fuller said, is to use compost.

“Because there’s so much clay here, you should use a compost,” he said. “It helps keep the clay broken up so the roots have more freedom to grow. That’s the first thing you want to do is establish the root system.”

In addition to botanical pursuits, spring is also a good time to start thinking about heading outdoors to the campgrounds.

Sergeant Patrick Iske, a park ranger for Clay County, said the most important thing to remember when planning a camping trip is bug spray.

“First off, you need a good supply of bug spray to keep mosquitoes and ticks away,” he said. “The ticks are already out, and they can hide in the folds of your clothes, and you can go without seeing them for days. Mosquitoes aren’t out in big numbers, but with the spring rains, if they aren’t here, they probably will be once we get more normal temperatures.”

Iske also said it’s important to carry a cell phone and let someone know where you’re going.

“If you’re going out camping, tell friends or family where you’ll be in case something happens,” he said. “And make sure you check in with the camp host, so we can get ahold of you if something happens.”

Spring can be an exciting time of year, but it has its downsides as well. Spring, said Bailey, is one of the more dangerous times of year as far as the weather is concerned, because April through June is peak tornado season.

“We’re just now entering the heart of severe weather season, and that’s what people need to focus on to keep safe,” he said. “Beyond June, tornadoes aren’t out of the question, but they’re less likely.”

In the event of a tornado, Bailey said, you should seek shelter in the lowest level of your building under something sturdy and cover your neck and head until the tornado has passed. If you don’t have access to a basement, you should find a windowless interior room and put as many walls between yourself and the tornado as possible.

When asked if this tornado season was shaping up to be worse than previous years, Bailey said it was impossible to tell.

“It’s really something that’s not predictable,” he said. “Some people will say, ‘This is going to be the worst storm season ever’ and if they’re right, they’re a genius. If they’re wrong, people are just glad the weather wasn’t bad.”

Smithville reporter Michael Westblade can be reached at 532-4444 or michaelwestblade@npgco.com.