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Weekend Special:
Today is the astronomical
In 2021, the spring equinox occurs on Saturday, March 20. This event marks the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. What does equinox mean? What happens on the equinox? What determines the first day of spring? Before you try to balance that egg, read on!
WHAT IS THE SPRING EQUINOX?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox (aka spring equinox or vernal equinox) occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north. This event marks the start of spring in the northern half of the globe. After this date, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the March equinox marks the start of autumn, as the Southern Hemisphere begins to be tilted away from the Sun.)
→ What sort of weather will spring bring? Check out our Spring Forecast to find out!
WHEN IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING?
In 2021, the March equinox happens on Saturday, March 20, at 5:37 A.M. EDT. In the Northern Hemisphere, this date marks the start of the spring season.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the start of autumn, while the September equinox marks the start of spring.
Year | Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) |
---|---|
2021 | Saturday, March 20, at 5:37 A.M. EDT |
2022 | Sunday, March 20, at 11:33 A.M. EDT |
2023 | Monday, March 20, at 5:24 P.M. EDT |
2024 | Tuesday, March 19, at 11:06 P.M. EDT |
WHAT DOES SPRING “EQUINOX” MEAN, EXACTLY?
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night).
On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world.
With the equinox, enjoy the increasing sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets. See your personalized Sun rise and set calculator.
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