Meteorologists Welcome Spring on March 1

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As the calendar flips to March, meteorologists in the Northern Hemisphere are celebrating the start of spring, even though astronomical spring doesn't arrive until later in the month on the spring equinox. Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser explains the differences between the two and why weather experts follow a different seasonal calendar.

Why it matters

The distinction between meteorological and astronomical seasons is important for weather forecasting and understanding long-term climate patterns. Meteorologists use the more consistent meteorological seasons to better analyze weather data and make more accurate predictions.

The details

Meteorological spring begins on March 1 and ends on May 31, while astronomical spring is defined by the spring equinox, which typically falls around March 20-21 each year. Meteorologists prefer the meteorological calendar because it provides a more uniform dataset for analyzing weather trends and patterns over time. The astronomical seasons are based on the Earth's tilt and position relative to the sun, which can vary slightly each year.

• Meteorological spring begins on March 1 and ends on May 31.
• Astronomical spring is defined by the spring equinox, which typically falls around March 20-21 each year.

What they’re saying