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Spring (season)

earth science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Spring is a special season that sits between winter and summer.

Spring cherry blossoms in Hagley Park
Spring cherry blossoms in Hagley Park

It is a time often linked to ideas of rebirth and new growth. People use words like renewal or rejuvenation to describe this feeling. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring starts around the spring equinox. This is when day and night are about twelve hours long.

Spring season in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture; April 2017 (15)
Spring season in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture; April 2017 (15)

As the season moves along, the days get longer. Meanwhile, the nights start to get shorter. This continues until the summer solstice arrives in June.

This season happens because of how the Earth moves. The axis of the Earth begins to tilt more toward the Sun.

This tilt causes the hemisphere to warm up significantly. As the ground warms, many plants begin to bloom in a long line. This can start even while some snow is still on the ground.

Chablais
Chablais

The melting snow can also cause streams to swell with runoff. In some areas, the warmth makes the soil smell special. This smell comes from tiny life forms flourishing in the dirt.

People have used the word "spring" for a very long time. The word comes from old terms meaning to rise up or burst forth.

Spring in Stockholm 2016 (2)
Spring in Stockholm 2016 (2)

In the 14th century, people used phrases like "springing time." This was related to the idea of a beginning or a birth. Scientists and meteorologists have different ways to track the season. In the United States, spring includes March, April, and May.

Kevadkülv
Kevadkülv

In Australia, the spring months are September, October, and November. This means when it is spring in the north, it is autumn in the south.

Different cultures have their own ways to mark the time. In the traditional Chinese calendar, spring includes the days around Chunfen.

The Persian culture starts its spring with the month of Farvardin. In India, spring is culturally seen in March and April. In these months, the average temperature is about 32 °C. Some people in the Karnataka state celebrate a new year called Ugadi.

Holi at Basantapur-0272
Holi at Basantapur-0272

Even in Sweden, spring is defined by the temperature. It starts when the average temperature stays above zero degrees Celsius for seven days.

Spring is also a time for many famous holidays and events. Many Christians celebrate Easter to remember the resurrection of Jesus.

Traditional Easter Sunday
Traditional Easter Sunday

This holiday can fall anywhere between 22 March and 25 April. Another celebration is May Day, which falls halfway between the equinox and solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day is often called International Workers' Day.

1950- Springtime average temperature changes - US contiguous 48
1950- Springtime average temperature changes - US contiguous 48

Some people even watch for cherry blossoms to know spring is here. This helps us connect the movement of the planets to our own lives.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Spring cherry blossoms in Hagley Park.jpg
Spring cherry blossoms in Hagley Park.jpg
File:1950- Springtime average temperature changes - US contiguous 48.svg
1950- Springtime average temperature...
File:Camino entre el bosque de cerezos en flor.jpg
Camino entre el bosque de cerezos en flor.jpg
File:Chablais.jpg
Chablais.jpg
File:Spring in Stockholm 2016 (2).jpg
Spring in Stockholm 2016 (2).jpg
File:Kevadkülv.jpg
Kevadkülv.jpg
File:Spring season in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture; April 2017 (15).jpg
Spring season in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa...
File:Divine female personification of Yenningtha ("spring season" in Meitei language) in Meitei mythology and folklore of Kangleipak (Manipur).jpg
Divine female personification of...
File:Holi at Basantapur-0272.jpg
Holi at Basantapur-0272.jpg
File:Traditional Easter Sunday.jpg
Traditional Easter Sunday.jpg
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