This cherry tree, found blossoming along 25th Street near St Paul today, pretty much says it all – Baltimore has just passed through the year’s three coldest months with some of the mildest temperatures recorded in history.

Not since 1949-50, in fact, did the city have it so warm. That year the average temperature from December 1 through the end of February was 42 degrees. This year: slightly below 41 degrees.

Not just mild but dry. The city had less than 2 inches of snow for the season, about 10% of its average – and a far cry from the 64-plus inches of Snowmageddon in 2009-10. According to this Washington Post story, Baltimore was the greatest snow “underachiever” in the country.

While March snowstorms are not unknown in this part of the world, nature has already responded to the prevailing conditions. Take a look at these daffodils ablaze on the median strip of University Parkway today.