When is the first day of spring in 2018?
If you’re sick of sporting your bulky sweaters and lacing up your winter boots on the daily, we have good news. Spring is just around the corner. No, really! The current temperature outside might make you think that we’re destined for eternal winter, but rest assured — come March 20th, spring will have officially sprung.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac website, the first day of spring, called the spring or vernal equinox, has historically fallen on either March 20th or the 21st. This year, the equinox hits on Tuesday, March 20th, at 12:15 p.m. EST in the Northern Hemisphere.
The actual date of the spring equinox varies due to the odd number of days within a year, among other scientific factors like Earth’s orbit around the sun and shifting axis, as Space.com explains. In fact, the further we go into the future, we’re more likely to begin celebrating the equinox on either March 19th or 20th due to these astronomical changes. That’s fine with us. The earlier spring comes, the better.
But let’s put all that science-y stuff aside and get down to the brass tacks. What really matters is that the first day of spring means warmer weather and longer days are here. The winter doldrums are over!
This corgi is us come March 20th:
Our ancient ancestors were keenly aware of the sun’s path across the sky throughout the year. In fact, there are multiple ancient sites that were built in relation to equinoxes. The Old Farmer’s Almanac states that the Mayans built the Chichen Itza pyramid around AD 1,000 in such a way that when the vernal equinox occurred, the shadow cast from the sun would create a serpent-like figure on the pyramid.
Crowds still flock annually to the ancient temple to see the spring snakes take form during the equinox.
Other signs that spring is on her way back into town are bird songs (the influx of sunlight triggers birds to sing) and worms emerging from the earth. Early-blooming flowers like crocuses will also start to say hey.
Spring’s coming back, and she’s got a suitcase filled with sundresses and sandals. We don’t know about you, but we’re excited for our guest to arrive!
