Global warming or global confusion?

The past weeks’ weather has been is what you would expect from an “Indian summer”. Luxembourg City has seen scantily people gathering on terraces, in parks and gardens, enjoying temperatures well above 20°C.

People have actively pranced around in the sun topping up their tans. Nature has begun re-blossoming, thinking the warm weather is an indication summer is just around the corner. Birds, misguided too, have begun calling for mates. Although Grand Duchy weather seems to be back on track with Thursday’s rain and 13 degrees, experts are concerned that some insects, plants and animals might not be prepared for winter given the recent meteorological confusion.

Although most animals and plants are guided by daylight and natural cycles, experts worry that some animals might not be equipped for hibernation, that some birds might forget to fly away in time and that some trees will not be able to “shut down” properly.

In the Swiss Alps, the same “re-spring” has caused the glacier of Giesen to melt and a piece of it (the size of 10 football pitches) has broken off. The forecast cold front arriving risks causing this part of the glacier to slide down towards the village of Lauterbrunnen, albeit not placing the inhabitants in any immediate danger.

Glaciologists argue that about 53 of the 84 glaciers in Switzerland present the same danger due to the warmer weather experienced lately. Nevertheless, the Swiss Alps will see snow this weekend, making ski resorts hopeful that last year’s missing snow will make a strong comeback this year.

In Luxembourg, however, the temperature will still be well above the past three years’ averages (9,9-12,1). So one is left wondering whether last years’ snow will come at all. And if so, when? ... In April?