Weather Words: Sugar Weather

Sugar weather might just be as sweet as it sounds. Sugar weather is a charming, old-fashioned term used to describe the cold, sunny, and calm conditions that are perfect for making maple syrup.

During sugaring season, usually late winter to early spring, daytime temperatures rise above freezing while nights remain below freezing. This freeze-thaw cycle causes sap to flow freely in maple trees, which is essential for syrup production.

The term can also refer more broadly to clear, crisp days in late winter that feel bright, calm, and almost sweet, the kind of weather that tempts people outdoors after a long, cold stretch. It’s not a formal meteorological term, but it has a cozy, cultural resonance, especially in regions like New England and Quebec where maple sugaring is a long-standing tradition.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.