The Lithuanian word for “February” is Vasaris. I’ve been told that it is related to Pavasaris, which means “Spring” because spring is approaching when February arrives. Let me tell you, I don’t see any indication in these first few days of February that spring is anywhere close to arriving. I am still wearing a down coat and heaving boots and trudging through snow and ice. And I distinctly remember wearing my wool coat through the end of April in 2009. But apparently Lithuanians see things differently, because this week a rack of seed packets appeared in the seasonal aisle of the grocery store. So even though I expect that it will feel like winter for a long time to come, I’ll start dreaming of spring too.
February 3, 2011
Spring Approaches?
About amanda
Amanda in Lithuania 
February 4th, 2011 at 9:46 am
We’re just concluding the regulation week of sunny weather that usually occurs in January. The weeks following the nice weather are always the toughest of the winter for me, because my expectations are raised, yet the dark, rainy weather will continue. At least the days are lengthening more quickly now.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
As a meteorologist I can say that January and February are the coldest months in a year in Lithuania. The name is related to ‘spring’ because of specific atmospheric stratification that is typical to this time of year. During this weather we have really sunny days but it’s really cold 🙂 Don’t worry, the spring will come eventually…
February 9th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
And now we are having crazy windstorms in Kaunas!