Spring May Be Closer Than You Think

news image
Special Stories
19 Feb 2018 5:31 PM
The record warmth this week across much of the eastern United States may have people thinking thoughts of spring.  It just so happens that springtime is closer than you think, meteorologically speaking. In the meteorological community spring gets a jump start on the astronomical date dictated by the earth’s tilt in its travel around the sun. Meteorological Spring begins March 1 and ends May 31.  Astronomical spring this year begins at 10:15 AM on Tuesday, March 20 and ends at the start of summer, on Thursday, June 21 at 4:07 AM. So why the difference between meteorological and astronomical season?  Astronomical seasons are based on the tilt of the earth in relation to the sun, while meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature fluctuation. Those in the atmospheric sciences divide the year in actual three month seasons. December through February are the coldest months in the northern hemisphere and this time period is winter to meteorologists. Meteorological spring are the months of March - May. Summer lasts from the first of June through the end of August. Which leaves September, October and November for meteorological autumn. Meteorologist Mike Morrison
All Weather News
More
Flossie Reaches Category 2 Strength

Flossie Reaches Category 2 Strength

EASTERN PACIFICThe National Hurricane Center

1 Jul 2025 11:20 PM
Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

A large dome of hot high pressure remains acr

1 Jul 2025 11:00 PM
NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

SOUTHEAST - A frontal boundary moving through

1 Jul 2025 10:35 PM
Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

A cold front is tapping into a moist air mass

1 Jul 2025 10:20 PM
Where Rain Could Dampen Holiday Travel Plans

Where Rain Could Dampen Holiday Travel Plans

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

1 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

It has been an active, severe season across t

30 Jun 2025 9:00 PM
Thunderstorms Possible in the Southeast Overnight

Thunderstorms Possible in the Southeast Overnight

SOUTHEAST - Strong thunderstorms have develop

28 Jun 2025 2:40 AM