Weather Trends: April 2013

The North Central and Northeast states will be warmer than last year and normal for April 2013 overall with warmer trends arriving mid-month, a positive for spring products. However, an active jet stream will bring frequent showers and storms to much of the eastern half of the nation where precipitation will trend greater than last year which may soften spring category demand, especially for outdoor products. Temperatures in the Southeast and along much of the West Coast will be similar to last year and near normal. spring category demand will be strongest in the Southwest during the first half of the month as temperatures trend warmer than last year, but demand will wane as the month progresses. The positives this month will be pent-up demand in the East for Spring categories and warmer weather in the Northeast and North Central states. The negatives will be wetter weather and the Easter calendar shift into the retail March.