“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.”

~ John Muir

On Wednesday afternoon at 2:58, the Vernal (from the Latin word for spring-ver) Equinox occurred. Not a minute before or after; it is a specific and brief moment in time. Simply put, today is the first full day of spring. Looking at the calendar was not necessary to be assured of its arrival. A week or so ago, winter’s quiet nature began to awaken. Every day brings change … temperatures were in the low 80s last week, there were blossoms and budding leaves, longer daylight hours, swarms of migrating butterflies, birds nesting and amorous coyotes yipping late into the night

A quick astronomy 101 lesson: The spring equinox in the northern hemisphere falls on March 20 or 21 every year. At noon on this day, the sun will cross over and shine directly on the equator; the length of day and night is nearly equal.

While weather is related to the seasons, it doesn’t cause them. Seasons result when the earth shifts position as it makes its yearlong revolution around the Sun. It may not feel quite like spring yet, especially for northern latitude countries like the USA and Canada. That’s because spring weather varies with climate and how far you are away from the equator.

The next chance for rain, now referred to as a “spring shower,” comes Friday night into Saturday morning. Cooler than normal temperatures are forecast for this period. Early next week will find more typical spring weather, including a possible spring shower on Wednesday. With not expired gingerbread men still living in our pantry, summer draws near!

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley resident and  Official Skywarn Spotter for the  National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick