Spring Is Almost Here: What to Know About the Equinox and When It Is

Spring is so close, I can feel it. Here in New Mexico, the roadrunners are frolicking, trees are budding and I'm sowing lettuce seeds in my raised beds. Mark your calendars: the vernal equinox happens on March 20, signaling the astronomical start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Equinoxes might not get the same attention as solstices, but they're a lovely way to observe the seasons shifting. Let's get to know the vernal equinox and why it happens. What is the vernal spring equinox? You've no doubt already noticed the lengthening of daylight as winter winds down. Vernal equinox marks the tipping point into longer days. The word "equinox" comes from the Latin words for equal and night. Daylight and night are roughly equal during the equinox. We experience two each year -- the vernal equinox in the spring and the autumnal equinox in the fall. The word "vernal" traces to Latin and references spring. Enlarge Image This National Weather Service graphic shows Earth's tilt, how it or ... Read full article.