When Does Spring Begin in 2025? Understanding the Vernal Equinox

 

Understanding the Vernal Equinox

When Does Spring Begin in 2025? Understanding the Vernal Equinox

• The arrival of spring is set for Thursday.
• The vernal equinox will take place at 5:01 a.m. EDT on Thursday.
• An equinox occurs when the sun aligns with the Earth's equator, creating a "nearly" equal duration of daylight and nighttime across all locations.

The common phrase 'April showers bring May flowers' signals the seasonal shift.

As winter fades, the beginning of spring is set for Thursday, marking the transition into a season of renewal. The vernal equinox is an astronomical occurrence in the Northern Hemisphere that happens when the sun is directly in line with the Earth's equator.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, this event is referred to as the autumnal equinox, signifying the onset of fall. During this period, the Southern Hemisphere begins to tilt away from the sun, leading to cooler temperatures and reduced daylight hours.

Below is an overview of essential details regarding the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

When Will Spring Start in 2025?

Spring officially begins on Thursday, March 20.

What Is the Exact Time of the Spring Equinox?

According to the National Weather Service, the spring equinox will take place at 5:01 a.m. EDT on March 20.

Understanding the Vernal Equinox

The vernal equinox marks the commencement of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Throughout the year, there are only two instances when the Earth's equator is neither tilted towards nor away from the sun, leading to a "nearly" balanced amount of daylight and darkness at all locations. These occurrences are identified as equinoxes.

The event occurring in spring is termed the vernal equinox, while the one happening in fall is recognized as the autumnal equinox.

Why Do Days Get Longer in Spring Compared to Winter?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the duration of daylight increases throughout the spring season as the region gradually moves towards its maximum tilt towards the sun, which reaches its peak during the summer solstice.

When Will the Summer Solstice Occur in 2025?

The next astronomical event after the vernal equinox is the summer solstice, which will take place on Friday, June 20, at 10:41 p.m. EST. This marks the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer.

When Did Daylight Saving Time Begin?

Daylight saving time commenced on Sunday, March 9, prompting millions of Americans to set their clocks forward by an hour.

Does the First Day of Spring Always Fall on the Same Date?

The first day of spring does not always land on March 21. It typically occurs on March 19, 20, or 21, depending on when the vernal equinox takes place. Notably, an astronomical first day of spring on March 21 will not be observed again within this century.

The spring equinox signifies the beginning of astronomical spring, while meteorological spring always begins on March 1.

'Interestingly, due to time zone differences, there hasn’t been a March 21 equinox in mainland United States during the entire 21st century,' the Old Farmer’s Almanac states. 'We won’t see a March 21 equinox again until 2101. Meteorologically speaking, the official first day of spring is March 1 (and the last is May 31).'

How Do Solstices and Equinoxes Differ? What Happens During an Equinox?

Each year, two equinoxes and two solstices occur. Equinoxes happen during spring and fall, termed as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, marking the first days of their respective seasons.

Solstices take place during summer and winter, signifying the longest and shortest days of the year. The summer solstice heralds the beginning of summer, while the winter solstice marks the start of winter.

Equinoxes are the only two instances in a year when the Earth's axis is not inclined towards or away from the sun, leading to a "nearly" equal split between daylight and nighttime across all latitudes, as per the National Weather Service (NWS).

'At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes,' NWS states. 'The "nearly" equal hours of day and night are due to refraction of sunlight or a bending of the light's rays that causes the sun to appear above the horizon when the actual position of the sun is below the horizon.'