On Feb. 28, I did notice that one bud on this lilac bush was barely starting bud burst. Today, 4 days later after 1.3" of rain and sleet yesterday, there were many buds "bursting". We have been in a dry spell here with hotter than normal weather in the mid- to late summer, and warmer weather in the fall and winter. We have had a few snowstorms and cold spells this winter, but the weather hasn't been normal.