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 New York, temperatures reached the 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 upper 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 25 to 40 percent loss in the maple sugaring industry in northern New York or approximately 30,000 or more gallons at $50-60 per gallon for an estimated loss of $2 million.
Climatological records are only available for Massena. Maximum temperature records broken at Massena were; March 18th with 77 degrees (58 degrees in 1966), March 19th with 75 degrees (60 degrees in 1986), March 20th with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1976, March 21st with 80 degrees (62 degrees in 1976) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (66 degrees in 1953).

Heat in EASTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 ESSEX, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 Massena airport office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 77 degrees (58 in 1966), March 19th with 75 degrees (60 in 1986), March 20th with 78 degrees (66 in 1976), March 21st with 80 degrees (62 in 1976) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (66 in 1953).

Heat in WESTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 ESSEX, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 SOUTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across northern New York 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 NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
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: ASOS

Record heat across all of northern New York 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 Massena airport office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 77 degrees (58 in 1966), March 19th with 75 degrees (60 in 1986), March 20th with 78 degrees (66 in 1976), March 21st with 80 degrees (62 in 1976) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (66 in 1953).

Heat in NORTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
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 northern New York 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 Massena airport office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 77 degrees (58 in 1966), March 19th with 75 degrees (60 in 1986), March 20th with 78 degrees (66 in 1976), March 21st with 80 degrees (62 in 1976) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (66 in 1953).

Heat in SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
From 17-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 22-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Record heat across all of northern New York 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 Massena airport office, the following Daily Highs were broken; March 18th with 77 degrees (58 in 1966), March 19th with 75 degrees (60 in 1986), March 20th with 78 degrees (66 in 1976), March 21st with 80 degrees (62 in 1976) and March 22nd with 78 degrees (66 in 1953).