Maple syrup-making season is officially underway in northeast Wisconsin. March's weather is usually an ideal time of year for maple syrup production, but producers started tapping trees earlier this year. Weather has a significant impact on sap quality and taste. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture says warm temperatures can cause microbial growth in collection tanks and an off-flavored or bitter product  by early bud swell of the trees. Experts say snow helps keep the sap's temperature cooler, allowing them to make the syrup."It's best to have it get cold at night so that the sap returns to the roots, then usually in February and March when it gets closer to say 35, 40, it can move up and down the tree," Tom Finley, Director of Education for Schlitz Audubon, said.Maple syrup makers in Manitowoc county wish their area had gotten more snow in recent winter storms."We got a little jump on it early this year because of the mild winter. We knew the temperatures were warm all winter. So we were prepared to start tapping in February," Jesse Wagner, owner at Inthewoods Sugar Bush, said.During warmer winters, major syrup operations can tap in December to get the most and best sap.Wisconsin is fourth in the nation for maple syrup behind Vermont, New York, and Maine.TOP STORIESWoman looking for stranger who saved her life after car flips into canalBullets fired at police squad car during chaseHomicide investigation: Man dropped off at Milwaukee hospital, pronounced deadWATCH Surveillance video shows Nashville shooter going through school