SPRING has sprung in December.

Last Christmas, the hills of Huddersfield were covered in a blanket of snow and temperatures were below freezing..

But this year, after a series of baffling weather patterns, blossom is already blooming and the sun is shining.

And according to our local experts, it is the result of an exceptionally mild autumn.

Gardening expert Graham Porter said blossom was not the only flower to bloom early.

He said: “It as though autumn hasn’t stopped and spring has already started.

“The garden is full of things that are still flowering but should have stopped and others that shouldn’t be in bloom for another few months.

“I have got a daffodil ‘Cheerfulness’ in bloom and I have also got primroses – which don’t normally flower until February.

“I also have Honesty – a flower which is not due to bloom until April.

“Alongside these, I still have a fuchsia in full flower. It is the complete opposite to last year. If it stays mild, there will be lots more in flower.”

Salendine Nook weatherman Paul Stevens said: “We had one of the warmest Christmases for about 20 years, which was around 12 degrees in Huddersfield.

“The reason is due to the South-Westerly jet streams coming out of America, Iceland and across the UK and Yorkshire.

“We are on the warm end of the jet streams.

“The danger is, as we move back into normal temperatures mid-month, we are likely to feel a very cold spell.

“We are now returning to the seasonal norm now which is about six degrees.

“Although it has been warm, it has been stormy.

“And today there will be a continuation of that stormy feel as it is set to be wet and windy.

“Generally we are getting a little bit colder and as we head towards the middle of January winds are due to come in from the North West which means we should expect some snow.”

The exceptionally mild winter has left Mother Nature so baffled that throughout the past few months, the Examiner has reported a series of unusual events.

In October, Linthwaite farmer Keith Saunders welcomed Indian Summer lambs – who were not due till January.

And earlier this month, the RSPB issued a warning for people to leave food and water for summer migrants, like blue tits.

If you have had any unusual blooms or events caused by the weather patterns please contact katie.earlam@examiner.co.uk