February is often one of the coldest months of the year temperature-wise, but not this winter.
Parts of the Southeast have seen unseasonably warm weather with record breaking highs.
The groundhog Puxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter is ahead. On the Grand Strand, that might not seem so bad with temperatures reaching the 60's and 70's in our winter forecast.
"We don't typically see a cold snap late in the year, so based on the trend we've been seeing, I’d like to say it's going to continue to stay on the mild side," said News13 Meteorologist Martha Spencer.
That might sound nice for warm weather lovers, but Dr. Danny Douglas, an allergist in Little River, says dramatic temperature changes, like this unseasonable warm up, could take a toll on the human body.
“We think that temperature changes may indeed contribute, in some patients, to the fact that they're more susceptible to infection,” said Douglas.
The wacky weather can play tricks on your plants, too.
Margaret Thompkins manages a plant nursery in Myrtle Beach.
She says the warm weather causes some of her flowers to bloom early, and that can create a bad situation if the Grand Strand does experience a cold snap.
"Whenever it gets to be below freezing … just the icy winds will cook the juices in the plant, and it will burn everything,” said Thompkins.
“It usually won't kill the plant. It'll just make it look bad,” she said.
Douglas says the temperature also affects pollen and mold growth, and that could lead to unpleasant symptoms for people with allergies.
"Indeed those things added on top of infection can compound their illness," said Douglas.
However, Douglas says not everyone is affected by the abnormal weather. He says people can enjoy the warm weather if they feel up to it.
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