First Day of Spring: A Tale of Two Seasons
The first day of spring, the Vernal Equinox, arrived at 5:01 AM on March 20th, 2025, promising warmer weather and longer days. However, Mother Nature had a surprise in store! While some areas basked in the low 60s, a swift change brought a wintry mix to many locations.
A Spring Surprise (with Snow!)
Reports from across the nation painted a varied picture. In some places, the day began delightfully spring-like, but by afternoon, temperatures plummeted, and snow showers started, especially at higher elevations (3000 feet and above). Areas saw accumulations ranging from a dusting to three inches, accompanied by strong winds gusting up to 40 mph. Other areas experienced rain showers transitioning to snow overnight.
Meteorological vs. Astronomical Spring
It's important to note the difference between meteorological and astronomical spring. Meteorologists use March 1st as the start of spring for data analysis, while the astronomical spring begins with the equinox, marking the equal length of day and night. This year, in Tallahassee, sunrise was at 7:41 AM and sunset at 7:49 PM.
Looking Ahead
Despite the initial cold snap, forecasts predicted a return to milder temperatures by the weekend. Although breezy conditions may persist in some areas, the long-awaited spring warmth is expected to prevail, with temperatures climbing into the 60s and 70s. It seems that even though this spring's arrival might have been a little... *chilly*, warmer weather will soon follow. Stay tuned to your local news for the latest updates!