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Spring (season)

earth science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Spring is one of the four temperate seasons. It follows winter and comes before summer. This season is often linked to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, and regrowth.

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

While many people use the term to describe a specific time of year, local usage varies. It depends on local climate, culture, and custom. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring occurs while the Southern Hemisphere experiences autumn. This relationship between the hemispheres is a constant cycle of the Earth.

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

The mechanics of spring are driven by the Earth's position relative to the Sun. During this season, the Earth's axis increases its tilt toward the Sun. This change in orientation causes the hemisphere to warm significantly. As the warmth increases, the length of daylight grows rapidly. At the spring equinox, also called the vernal equinox, days and nights are approximately twelve hours long.

Camino entre el bosque de cerezos en flor
Camino entre el bosque de cerezos en flor

As the season progresses, daytime length increases while nighttime length decreases. This process continues until the summer solstice occurs. This solar cycle is the primary driver of the seasonal shift.

There are several ways to define the start of spring. Meteorologists often use average monthly temperatures to define seasons. In the United States and United Kingdom, meteorological spring includes March, April, and May. In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil, the months are September, October, and November.

Kevadkülv
Kevadkülv

Sweden uses a different method based on temperature. There, spring begins when the average 24-hour temperature exceeds zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days. This can happen as early as 15 February or as late as 31 July. These different systems show how climate dictates our understanding of time.

Astronomical reckoning provides another way to track the season. In the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical vernal equinox occurs between 19 and 21 March. Some traditions use solar reckoning instead. By this method, spring begins on 1 February and lasts until May Day. Different cultures have unique calendars for this period. The traditional Chinese calendar includes days between Lichun and Lixia. The Persian culture begins spring with the month of Farvardin on 20 or 21 March.

Even ancient scholars like Marcus Terentius Varro had specific date ranges for the season.

Ecological reckoning looks at biological indicators instead of calendar dates. This is often called phenology. It involves watching for the blossoming of plants or the activity of animals. The smell of soil can also indicate spring as micro flora flourish in the warmth.

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

Some ecologists even identify a separate prevernal season. This occurs between the hibernal (winter) and vernal (spring) seasons. During the prevernal stage, only hardy flowers like the crocus might bloom. This shows that nature does not always follow a strict human calendar.

Spring brings significant environmental changes and sometimes intense weather. As snow melts, it creates runoff that swells streams. This can lead to flooding, especially in mountainous areas where warm rains accelerate the melt. In North America, spring is the most active time for Tornado Alley. This happens because the Rocky Mountains force hot and cold air masses into conflict.

Chablais
Chablais

These air masses can produce supercell thunderstorms, large hail, and high winds. Additionally, global warming has caused average springtime temperatures to rise in the 48 contiguous US states since the mid-20th century.

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

Cultural celebrations are deeply tied to the arrival of spring. Many Christians celebrate Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. The date of Easter varies between 22 March and 25 April.

Traditional Easter Sunday
Traditional Easter Sunday

Another major event is May Day, which falls halfway between the equinox and the solstice. In the Celtic tradition, this marked the end of spring. In India, spring is celebrated culturally in March and April, with average temperatures near 32 °C. Some in Karnataka celebrate the new year during this time as Ugadi.

Holi at Basantapur-0272
Holi at Basantapur-0272

These traditions connect the physical changes of the Earth to human social life.

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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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