Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, 2010.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, 2010. Image by Cheryl.R / CC BY-SA 2.0

Warm weather in the Skagit Valley north of Seattle has prompted early signs of spring. This year the area’s tulips are blooming ahead of schedule, and growers are opening earlier than usual so visitors can see the flowers. Tulip season typically begins in early spring, with the Tulip Festival normally beginning on 1 April and running through the end of the month. But the warmer weather promises to bring out the flowers in late March. Growers are urging visitors to come early for a chance to see the tulips this year. Read more: seattlepi.com