Meteorological Spring Arrives Early: Debunking Seasonal Myths

ATLANTA, Ga. — Meteorological spring officially begins this weekend on March 1, even as the spring equinox is still weeks away, falling on March 20. The distinction arises from how meteorologists define the seasons, based on monthly temperature averages rather than astronomical events.

Meteorologists classify the seasons differently than the common astronomical definition. While most people recognize the start of spring with the vernal equinox, which marks when the sun directly shines at the equator, meteorologists take a more temperature-focused approach.

The shift to meteorological spring means that winter, which includes December through February in the Northern Hemisphere, has wrapped up, marking the transition into warmer weather. Brian Brettschneider, an Alaska-based climatologist, analyzed historical temperature data and found that the coldest three months often end by late February, with few exceptions.

“In most of the United States and Canada, only Honolulu, Hawaii, experienced its coldest 90-day stretch extending into March,” Brettschneider noted. “The coldest period usually coincides with the end of winter as most people perceive it.”

This temperature-based definition aligns more closely with common perceptions of seasonal weather patterns. For example, many places experience significant snowfall or cold snaps well before December 21, when astronomical winter officially begins.

Meteorological spring lasts from March 1 through May 31. This definition helps simplify the calculation of seasonal weather statistics, as all meteorological seasons start on the first of the month, allowing for easier comparisons.

As daylight saving time approaches on March 12, U.S. residents will gain an extra hour of evening daylight. Most regions in the northern U.S. will see sunset times shift later by 30 to 45 minutes by the end of March, while southern areas may experience a shorter change of 15 to 30 minutes.

March can be a volatile month, as many areas across the country can still experience winter storms. However, as the days progress, the sun will shine higher, and average high temperatures are expected to rise by about 10 degrees in northern regions by the end of the month.

According to a content meteorologist with The Weather Company, “Understanding these seasonal transitions is essential given their impact on weather predictions and agricultural planning.”