When is the first day of Spring 2022?
by Laura Clipson
• Published 17/03/2022
Days are getting longer, evenings brighter, and daffodils are beginning to sprout - this can mean only one thing; spring is on its way.
The four seasons we experience are split by either an equinox or a solstice. The first day of spring takes place on the spring equinox, which falls this year on 20th March. The word “equinox” is latin for “equal night”, as it takes place twice a year when the equator is the closest part of the Earth to the sun, meaning both hemispheres share the sunlight equally and have an equal 12 hours of day and night. The second equinox takes place in September and marks the beginning of autumn.
The two solstices mark the beginning of our summer and winter seasons. The summer solstice is our longest day due to the way the Earth is positioned in relation to the sun, while the winter solstice is our shortest day.
The spring equinox can fall any time between the 19th and 21st of March, though the most common date is the 20th. This is according to the astronomical calendar, where the seasons are related to the position of the Earth in relation to the sun, which is slightly different every year.
Spring lasts until the summer solstice, which this year takes place on 21st June, signalling the start of summer.
- Longer days and lighter evenings due to more hours of sunlight
- Trees and plants will begin to bloom once more in response to the sunlight and warmth
- Positive effect on mental health, especially for those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder
- The clocks going forward, which takes place on the final Sunday in March every year, this year on 27th March
Thank you for reading.
If you want to make the most of the nicer weather, then why not take a trip do some of these great Springtime walks:
