The Winter of 2011-12 was largely abnormal with temperatures that averaged 4-5 degrees above normal and snowfall was 40-60 percent of normal. This combination accounted for snow packs across the region to be largely below normal or even non-existent by mid-March. Maple sugar producers started tapping trees by late February-early March.
In Mid-March, a huge, upper atmospheric ridge dominated the eastern half of the lower 48 states, which allowed for unprecedented RECORD heat from the northern Plains and Mississippi River Valley to the Atlantic coast. In fact, thousands of daily record maximum temperature records were broken during this time frame.
In Vermont, temperatures reached the mid 50s to lower 60s on March 17th, then climbed into the 70s on the 18th with 70s and lower 80s on the 19th through 22nd. The normal high temperature during this period is the mid 30s to lower 40s. These record temperatures combined with Winter 2011-12 conditions accounted for the Maple Sugaring industry to end by the last week of March. Preliminary estimates of a 30 percent loss in the maple sugaring industry or approximately 250,000 gallons at a market rate of $40/gallon or approximately a $10 Million loss statewide. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_England_includes/Publications/0605mpl.pdf
In addition, but not accounted for in damage estimates, is the loss revenue of the ski industry during the winter due to a 25-50 percent snow drought and early spring closures.
Climatological records available in Vermont are Burlington, Montpelier and St. Johnsbury and are included in their corresponding zones.

Heat in ORANGE, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In St. Johnsbury, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1927), March 19th with 76 degrees (71 degrees in 1903), March 20th with 78 degrees (75 degrees in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (71 degrees in 1903) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (69 degrees in 1946).

Heat in ESSEX, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In St. Johnsbury, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1927), March 19th with 76 degrees (71 degrees in 1903), March 20th with 78 degrees (75 degrees in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (71 degrees in 1903) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (69 degrees in 1946).

Heat in GRAND ISLE, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years.

Heat in EASTERN FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. At the NWS Burlington office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 76 degrees (62 in 1945), March 19th with 79 degrees (66 in 2010), March 20th with 80 degrees (70 in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (68 in 1946) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (68 in 1938).

Heat in WESTERN FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. At the NWS Burlington office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 76 degrees (62 in 1945), March 19th with 79 degrees (66 in 2010), March 20th with 80 degrees (70 in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (68 in 1946) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (68 in 1938).

Heat in EASTERN RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 350.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years.

Heat in WESTERN RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years.

Heat in WINDSOR, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years.

Heat in WASHINGTON, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In Montpelier, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 77 degrees (58 degrees in 1966), March 19th with 73 degrees (64 degrees in 2010), March 20th with 77 degrees (62 degrees in 2010), March 21st with 77 degrees (54 degrees in 2003) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (60 degrees in 1979).

Heat in LAMOILLE, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In Montpelier, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 77 degrees (58 degrees in 1966), March 19th with 73 degrees (64 degrees in 2010), March 20th with 77 degrees (62 degrees in 2010), March 21st with 77 degrees (54 degrees in 2003) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (60 degrees in 1979).

Heat in ORLEANS, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In St. Johnsbury, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1927), March 19th with 76 degrees (71 degrees in 1903), March 20th with 78 degrees (75 degrees in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (71 degrees in 1903) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (69 degrees in 1946).

Heat in EASTERN ADDISON, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 450.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years.

Heat in EASTERN CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. At the NWS Burlington office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 76 degrees (62 in 1945), March 19th with 79 degrees (66 in 2010), March 20th with 80 degrees (70 in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (68 in 1946) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (68 in 1938).

Heat in WESTERN CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. At the NWS Burlington office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 76 degrees (62 in 1945), March 19th with 79 degrees (66 in 2010), March 20th with 80 degrees (70 in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (68 in 1946) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (68 in 1938).

Heat in WESTERN ADDISON, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. At the NWS Burlington office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 76 degrees (62 in 1945), March 19th with 79 degrees (66 in 2010), March 20th with 80 degrees (70 in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (68 in 1946) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (68 in 1938).

Heat in CALEDONIA, VERMONT
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of Vermont with maximum temperatures 30 to 40 degrees above normal and some daily records being broken by 10 or more degrees and some records that were established for more than 100 years. In St. Johnsbury, Daily Record Highs were broken on March 18th with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1927), March 19th with 76 degrees (71 degrees in 1903), March 20th with 78 degrees (75 degrees in 1903), March 21st with 81 degrees (71 degrees in 1903) and March 22nd with 81 degrees (69 degrees in 1946).