Understanding the difference between astronomical and meteorological spring can help explain why the seasons don’t always align with the calendar.
FILE - A vial of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine sits on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2015. Read full article: Measles, rubella and chickenpox: The differences between the highly contagious virusesHow you can get Microsoft Office for life for under $40You may have noticed people discussing “spring” before the spring equinox has occurred.
That’s because astronomical and meteorological springs follow different cycles.Meteorologists use this system as it is simpler for record-keeping and weather analysis. With meteorological spring continuously spanning these three months, comparing trends from year to year is easier. This structure also helps climatologists track long-term weather patterns, such as average temperatures or rainfall, because they can rely on a predictable, uniform time frame.Unlike meteorological spring, the spring equinox date can vary slightly each year because the Earth’s orbit isn’t perfect. While this marks a key point in Earth’s tilt, the actual weather on the ground may not match the “official” start of spring. The Earth orbits the sun in approximately 365.25 days. That extra quarter of a day accumulates to an additional day every four years, known as a leap year. This slight shift causes the solstices and equinoxes to occur on different dates each year. The spring equinox is considered the official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs on March 20 at 4:01 a.m., marking the equal length of day and night.The main difference is that meteorological spring provides a consistent way to analyze and compare weather patterns each year. In contrast, the spring equinox highlights the Earth’s movement and tilt in relation to the sun. For meteorologists, meteorological spring is crucial when forecasting temperatures, storm trends, or other long-term weather patterns. On the other hand, the spring equinox is a milestone for astronomers and anyone interested in the Earth’s changing relationship with the sun.The spring equinox and meteorological spring are both important, but they highlight different aspects of the arrival of spring. Whether you’re celebrating the seasonal milestone or analyzing weather trends, each event offers a unique perspective on the changing seasons, bringing us closer to the warmth and sunshine of spring.Shelby Ebertowski joined KSAT 12 News in January 2025. She came to San Antonio from Fargo, North Dakota via the University of North Dakota, where she learned the ropes as a weekend forecaster over two years at KVLY. Her love of weather love began after experiencing Hurricane Harvey in 2017.Shockingly affordable – This Lenovo Chromebook is a steal at 71% off
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