When is the first day of spring? It depends, really

Greg Giesen, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·2 min read
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its seasonal precipitation and temperature outlook for the U.S.

The robins are nesting near your bedroom window. Daffodils are fighting their way up through the dirt. Temperatures are beginning to move away from freezing.

Yep, spring is coming quickly, or it might already be here.

When is the first day of spring in 2024?

It depends on which spring you're talking about.

Confused? There are three different types of spring: astronomical spring, solar spring and meteorological spring.

Astronomical seasons

First, there are the astronomical seasons that generally are the main indicator of the seasons and the first day of spring is March 21.

Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth to the sun. The Earth’s annual trip around the sun forms the basis for the astronomical calendar in which seasons are defined by two solstices (winter and summer) and two equinoxes (spring and fall).

Solar spring

Solar seasons are determined by the amount of light within a season. Solar spring is when daylight increases at the fastest rate of the year. The first day of solar spring was Feb. 5.

Meteorological spring

Meteorological seasons are three-month groupings based on the annual temperature cycle. We generally think of winter as the coldest time of the year and summer as the warmest time of the year, with spring and fall being the transition seasons. Meteorological spring started March 1.

Get ready to spring forward: Daylight saving time is coming in March. Why we still spring forward

Avoid springing forward, move here: These states don't observe daylight saving time. Here's why.

When is the last day of winter 2024?

After learning about the season, this question isn't as complicated.

  • Astronomical winter: March 20

  • Solar winter: Feb. 4

  • Meteorological: Either Feb. 28 or Feb. 29 depending on leap year.

Did the groundhog see his shadow in 2024?

Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring this year on Groundhog Day. However, the actual day of spring starts doesn't change.

Now, will it feel like spring? That's the question. According to NOAA's seasonal temperature outlook, the northernmost states will see above-normal temperatures in February, March and April.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is the first day of spring? It depends on which spring you mean