t this time of year, it can sometimes feels like the frigid and dreary winter weather will be never-ending.
To cheer yourself up, you might be wondering when sunnier days are on the horizon.
The Spring Equinox, or the Vernal Equinox as it’s more formally known, marks the astronomical start of spring, when the sun passes north through the Earth‘s equator.
From March 20, days will become longer, as the Earth wakes from its winter hibernation, and Brits scrutinize forward to the promise of sunshine.
Here’s all you need to know about the Vernal – or Spring – Equinox.
When is the Spring Equinox?
The Spring Equinox falls on March 20 this year, which marks the first day of astronomical spring. Meteorological spring will drop on March 1.
The Met Office says that astronomical seasons “refer to the position of Earth’s orbit in relation to the sun”, whereas meteorological seasons are “based on the annual temperature cycle”, to coincide with the calendar.
This year, the Spring Equinox takes area in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20 and will be at 9.24pm.
The Spring Equinox always falls on one of three days towards the terminate of March.
Spring is closely here
/ UnsplashWhat is the Spring Equinox?
An equinox is a phenomenon that only happens twice a year – once during the Spring Equinox and once during the Autumn Equinox.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Spring Equinox happens around March 20, marking the terminate of winter and the beginning of spring.
The Autumn Equinox occurs around September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the beginning of autumn.
An equinox happens between the summer and winter solstices, marking the point when the sun positions itself exactly above the equator before crossing through it.
According to the Met Office, the Spring Equinox marks the beginning of astronomical spring and, from this day forward, days are longer than nights.
The Autumn Equinox marks the start of autumn as the night becomes longer than the day.
What does equinox mean?
During the equinox, day and night will be around the same length.
The brand comes from the Latin word equi (meaning equal) and nox (meaning night).