When is the 1st Day of Spring?
The first day of spring is around March 20 or 21, depending on what day the vernal equinox occurs.
Definition of Spring
"Meteorologists generally define 4 seasons in many climatic areas, Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn (or Fall). These are demarcated by the values of their average temperatures on a monthly basis, with each season lasting 3 months. The 3 warmest months are by definition Summer, the 3 coldest months are Winter, and the intervening gaps are Spring and Autumn. Spring, when defined in this manner, can start on different dates in different regions. In the vast majority of northern-hemisphere locations, Spring occurs during the months of March, April and May. (Summer is June, July, August; Autumn is September, October, November; Winter is December, January, February.) The vast majority of southern-hemisphere locations will have opposing seasons with spring in September, October and November."
"Astronomically, the Vernal Equinox (usually March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere, and September 22 in the Southern Hemisphere), should be the middle of spring, and the summer solstice (usually June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21 in the Southern Hemisphere) should be mid-summer, but daytime temperatures lag behind insolation by several weeks because the earth and sea have thermal latency and take time to warm up. Some cultures call the spring equinox mid-spring, but others regard it as the "first day of spring". For most temperate regions, signs of spring appear long before the middle of March, but the folklore of March 21 being the "first day of spring" persists, though June 21 as the "first day of summer" is common only in the USA."
"According to the Celtic tradition, which is based solely on daylight and the strength of the noon sun, spring begins in early February (near Imbolc or Candlemas) and continues until early May (Beltane)."
"The phenological definition of spring relates to indicators, the blossoming of a range of plant species, and the activities of animals, or the special smell of soil that has reached the temperature for micro flora to flourish. The first swallow to arrive or the flowering of lilac may be the indicator of spring. It therefore varies according to the climate and according to the specific weather of a particular year."
"Spring is often a very rainy and muddy season, especially in the Northeast US."
The Signs of Spring
The signs of spring are everywhere. From the budding of the trees to the new birth of every flower blossom, sprig of grass and animal. The temperatures are warming up and the hybernating animals are coming out of their winter dens for the taste and smells of all things new.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that spring comprises "in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, May, or as reckoned astronomically extending from the vernal equinox (March 20) to the June solstice (June 21)."
Chambers 21st Century Dictionary states that spring is "the season between winter and summer, when most plants begin to grow, and usually thought of in the Northern hemisphere as consisting of the months from March to May inclusive, and in the Southern hemisphere as September to November".
The UK Met Office also considers that spring consists of the months of March, April and May.
The Oxford English Dictionary states that spring is "in the Northern hemisphere from March to May and in the Southern hemisphere from September to November".
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary considers that spring lasts "from March to June north of the equator, and from September to December south of the equator".
The Irish and most Asian calendars choose the mid-points between solstice and equinox in considering their seasons, and list spring to begin on around the 4th day of Feburary, the Lichun (Chinese) day. wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)
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Egg Hunt is a popular game for spring parties:
"Egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs, real hard-boiled ones or artificial, filled with or made of chocolate candies, of various sizes, are hidden in various places for children to find. The game may be both indoors and outdoors. The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth of man at Easter. Traditionally the game is associated with Easter and Easter eggs (Easter egg hunt), but it has also been popular with spring time birthday parties."
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SIGNIFICANT MARCH HOLIDAYS:
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How can I Celebrate Spring?
- Learn about Daffodils! - Daffodils are the first flowers of spring. Learn what they look like and why they are so popular.
- Get outside and get to grilling! - It's fun to eat outside where you can watch nature and enjoy the warm spring weather. Visit our Grilling & BBQ Directory to learn great grilling tips and recipes. Invite all your friends.
- Have a Spring Party! - All spring parties are held outside. Use floral party plates and napkins. Put plenty of flower arangements on the table.
- Take a field trip - Go to the nearest Garden Park and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
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See Also:
Spring Fever Week: March
Spring Fever Week is all about getting anxious for that warm weather along with a lot of fun and festivities. So get set for the time of your life and make others enjoy too by sending our cool greetings.
Over The Rainbow Day - May 15
Related Outside Links
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