Today marks the official start of astronomical spring, as the spring equinox occurs at 10:46 AM ET.
During the equinox, the sun is positioned directly over the equator, meaning both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive nearly equal amounts of sunlight. This results in roughly equal lengths of day and night across the globe.
This event differs from meteorological spring, which began earlier on March 1. Meteorologists divide seasons into three-month blocks (March–May for spring) based on temperature patterns and calendar consistency, making it easier for climate tracking and record-keeping.
Astronomical seasons, on the other hand, are based on Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun. Because Earth’s orbit isn’t perfectly uniform—and includes leap years—the exact timing of equinoxes and solstices can shift slightly each year.
From here, daylight will continue increasing in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June, bringing longer, warmer days ahead.
In short: while spring may have already felt underway, today marks its official arrival in the astronomical sense
