After a long winter, spring is finally arriving in Ontario this week with the annual spring equinox.
Astronomical spring begins on Friday, March 20, when the spring equinox occurs at 10:46 a.m. In the Northern Hemisphere, the equinox usually falls between March 19 and March 21 and is widely considered the official first day of spring.
The equinox happens when the sun passes directly over the Earth’s equator, moving from south to north. On this day, daylight and nighttime are nearly equal in length around the world.
Meteorological spring, which is based on weather patterns and the calendar, already began on March 1.
Weather experts say southern Ontario could see slightly milder conditions overall in March, although cold spells are still possible. Meteorologists note that seasonal averages often include periods that are both warmer and cooler than normal.
Forecasts suggest the start of spring may be slow in parts of the province. Some areas could still experience snow and icy conditions into April, while temperatures in southern Ontario are expected to remain close to seasonal averages.
Long-range forecasts indicate that spring may bring fluctuating weather, with changes in temperature through March and April. May’s conditions remain uncertain.
The word “equinox” comes from Latin, meaning “equal night,” referring to the roughly equal length of day and night during the event.
Daylight hours have been gradually increasing since the winter solstice in December. After the spring equinox, daylight will continue to grow longer each day until the summer solstice on June 21.
The spring equinox has long symbolized renewal and new beginnings in many cultures. People often mark the change of seasons by cleaning homes, starting garden plants indoors and spending time outdoors to observe nature’s return after winter.