Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990                   TAG: 9003142525
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WEATHER WORKS UP MARCH SWEAT

"We used to keep it through the end of March," Phil Smith, retail sales manager, said of the space heaters, wood stoves, fire-starter logs and fireplace screens that had been displayed. "But with the warm weather, people are getting an early start. And it's not only in the garden center, but in building supplies, too. It's been wild."

Record-breaking temperatures have sent people who are itching for yard work and gardening to stores in search of the necessary supplies.

Temperatures that should have hovered around 55 soared to a high of 86 degrees again in the Roanoke Valley on Tuesday, breaking yet another 1972 record. The warmest March 13 before Tuesday was only 77 degrees.

Monday's high in Roanoke was also 86 degrees, surpassing the record 78-degree high also set in 1972.

The National Weather Service said a high-pressure system pumping tropical air over the Eastern United States was responsible for the heat. Hundreds of heat records have been broken in the East, and temperatures up to 25 degrees above normal were expected through midweek.

"I played golf yesterday, and I said then I was playing again today," said Gene Novak, a real estate manager in Baltimore, where the temperature hit 86 on Monday. "What the heck? My boss is away."

"Business is good right now," said Earleen Russell, retail manager at Belle Aire Garden Shoppe in Roanoke. "People are doing early planting. But we're telling them that this weather is playing tricks on their minds. It's really early."

Roanoke Extension Agent John Arbogast said people do tend to "jump the gun" with spring planting during unseasonably warm weather.

He suggested that people continue with planting such vegetables as potatoes, greens and peas that need an early start, but cautioned about planting other foods such as tomatoes and beans.

"Our average last frost date is April 30, so we could have a frost," Arbogast said. "Even though it's mild now, home-gardeners are itching to do stuff."

A cold snap could wipe out an early grass seeding, Arbogast said.

"It still might be a good idea to wait until later in the month to see if the weather does change," he said. "Wait until the normal time just to be on the safe side."

The weather service forecasts highs near or in the 80s through Thursday. A front moving through the valley on Friday will cool things to the 60s during the weekend, said Kane Galleo, weather service specialist.

"Early next week it will start warming up again," Galleo said. "Who knows what'll happen after that?"

Galleo said the three-month forecast indicates temperatures will be on the warm side.