Over the last decade or so, I seem to have heard basically the same line from dozens of people every year:
"Doesn't it seem like we go right from winter to summer?"

Well, these folks may not be that far off. New data from New Jersey-based science organization Climate Central suggests that the current state of our climate is causing spring to arrive quicker than we’ve ever seen before.

Shorter winters might sound nice for those of us who despise the cold and snow, but this seasonal shift is throwing off the timing of crucial events in nature, such as bird migration and reproduction, earlier tree and plant flowerings, and longer pest and allergy seasons – all of which could cause major ramifications down the line.

New York City is experiencing spring-like conditions 11 days earlier than normal over the past 30 years, and has seen an average temperature rise of 1 degree. This may not sound like a lot, but it is. Additionally, the date of the last freeze has averaged almost a week earlier since 1970.

But these things aren’t just happening here at home, this is occurring across most of the U.S. and other parts of the world as well. And it could get worse. Some scientists say that this number could rise to three weeks by the year 2100. Can you imagine spring beginning in February?