I came up with a new term that I think could really be popular: White Man Spring. Think of it like “Indian Summer,” but instead of a last blast of warmth and sunshine in October, “White Man Spring” is a false thaw that comes anytime in January or February. It’s a warm spell when there are puddles and above-freezing temperatures that is immediately followed by a return of real winter weather. Snow and frigid temperatures and everything else.
I dub it “White Man Spring” in honor of all us white boys and girls who are so out of tune with the natural world that we step outside one morning truly in the dead of winter and feel the warmth of 35° and think (in fact, want to shout): “Winter is over! Spring is on the way!”
We rejoice at the successful defeat of another winter (“That wasn’t so bad,” we smugly mutter to ourselves) and begin making plans for a picnic.
Then, a couple days later, we wake up and step outside in our t-shirts and sandals and find the world frozen and covered in snow again. Perhaps we get frosbite fumbling for our keys to get back inside.
The best part of it all is that there can be a couple “White Man Springs” in a given winter season, and those of us who inspired the name will react exactly the same every time.
the dharma bum 
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Bum, I’m not sure about the name, but I sure know the concept. I walked outside today without my winter coat on, just my springtime rain jacket and a sweater, and I’m sitting at work with a tee-shirt on.
White Man Spring? Accidental Spring?
I think you’re on to something, Bum.