Climatologist Peter Schwartzman, associate professor of environmental studies at Knox College, announced today the discovery of four new seasons.

Schwartzman announced his findings on April 1 on the Knox campus, braving a wintry wind while standing under one of Knox's famous flowering trees that bloom every spring.

"Unlike a lot of places, the upper Midwest already has four good seasons," said Schwartzman. "I'm happy to announce that we have now found four more seasons hidden in the data. These new seasons explain the in-between weather that makes it hard to decide what to wear."

April 1 is the first and only day of the new season Schwartzman has named "Winger" -- between Winter and Spring.

"The other new ones are Spummer, on June 1, when you'll need a jacket in the morning and flip-flops by the end of the day; Smaller, on September 1, when you might see 100 degrees of summer heat on the same day that students begin fall term; and Flinter, on November 1, when you could get hit with falling snow and falling leaves on the same day."

The new seasons are what weather scientists characterize as "one day wonders," Schwartzman said. "Whatever happens on that one day can be considered as solid evidence for, or evidence against, climate change."