Home / Editor's Pick /

Spring starts: Meteorological vs astronomical

10:00
29 February 2024

Spring starts
Meteorological vs astronomical

spring

Spring starts this week in one sense, but did you know there are actually two starts to the new season?

On Friday, we welcome the arrival of meteorological spring which annually arrives on March 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. Running from March to May.

Meanwhile, astronomical spring does not begin until the Vernal Equinox which changes slightly each year. This year it falls on March 20th.

To make matters simpler for meteorologists, it is easier to split the year into four neat quarters each three months at a time. In the UK and Ireland this is easy to do as our weather systems generally fit into four distinct patterns.

In other locations this is not possible, in the far-east for example monsoon seasons mean there are only three recognisable seasons while polar regions only see two.

Astronomical spring is based on the position of Earth in its orbit of the sun. Due to the tilt of the planet’s rotation around its axis we see solstices and equinoxes guiding the seasons.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Thursday 17 July 2025

Coastal phenomenon

Sea fog: Sharp boundary along Cali
Friday 18 July 2025

Stormy for UK & Ireland

Pressure systems protecting Europe
Wind radar and warning map for strong gusting winds across south-east Ireland, Wales, and the English south coast.
Tuesday 15 July 2025

For UK and Ireland

Pressure system prompts wind warnings
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday 14 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Turning gusty as temperatures ease
Weather map showing thunderstorms over Northern Ireland and rain elsewhere next to a temperature map showing highs in the upper 20s in south-east England.
Thursday 17 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Storm potential in areas, warming too
Weather map on the left showing heavy rain over the UK and Ireland. Wind map on the right shows strong gusting winds over Ireland, Wales, and England, strongest in the south.
Tuesday 15 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Wet, gusty, with thundery potential
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement