USA First Day of Spring 2025
Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and warmth. The United States welcomes the first day of spring on Thursday, March 20, 2025. It is also known as the spring equinox, in which day and night are approximately equal in length. It marks the transitional point from cold, dormant winter months to the flowering, colorful season of spring.
How Is the First Day of Spring Defined?
The first day of spring, or vernal equinox, is defined by where the Earth is located in its orbit around the sun. On this day, the axis of the Earth is neither tilted toward nor away from the sun, resulting in approximately an equal number of light and dark hours at all latitudes, the National Weather Service states.
Spring season in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet starts this year exactly at 5:01 a.m. EST on March 20, 2025, NASA reports. The date and time of the equinox differ slightly every year. Once the Earth has finished its vernal equinox, the Northern Hemisphere is springtime and the Southern Hemisphere is autumn.
The Science Behind the Spring Equinox
Earth is tilted 23.5° on its axis, the same responsible for the seasons. When Earth tilts towards the sun, the sun-side of the hemisphere receives more daylight hours of sun and vice versa with the other one. The longer the daylight stays close, the warmer the temperature gets, but there is lag since it takes some time for the ground and the water bodies to warm up.
Spring Weather Across the U.S.
- Northeast & Midwest: Warming gradually as the snow thaws and the first blooming of daffodils and crocuses.
- South: Earlier warmer weather with azaleas, dogwoods, and other bright flowers.
- West Coast: Nice and mild climate with longer days ideal for outdoor pursuits.
- Mountain Regions: Though the lower areas enjoy spring-like weather, there might still be remaining snow in upper areas.
How is the Vernal Equinox Celebrated?
- National Cherry Blossom Festival (Washington, D.C.) – Popular festival that marks the blossoming of cherry trees that Japan donated.
- Festivals of Spring Equinox – There are certain religious and cultural communities that celebrate the equinox with specific rituals and celebrations.
- Holi Festival – Hindu festival of colors observed annually on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Falgun.
- Nowruz – Persian New Year's celebration to mark the beginning of spring, celebrated in Iran and Central Asia.
- Shunbun no Hi (Japan) – A holiday that is public to enjoy nature and greet the arrival of cherry blossoms.
- Teotihuacán Pyramid Visit (Mexico) – A ritual where individuals visit the Pyramid of the Sun to commemorate the equinox.
Can You Really Balance an Egg on the Vernal Equinox?
They claim you can balance an egg on its end on the equinox. But, as the Astronomical Society of the Pacific suggests, this has nothing to do with the equinox. You see, with a little patience, you can balance an egg on its end any time of the year!
What's the Difference Between an Equinox and a Solstice?
The equinoxes take place when the sun is directly centered over the equator, with day and night equal in length. The solstices are the longest day and shortest day of the year:
- Summer solstice (June 20, 2025) – The longest day of the year in the North Hemisphere.
- Winter solstice – The shortest day of the year when the South Pole is leaning towards the sun.
Conclusion
The first day of spring in 2025 is not just a date on a calendar; it is a season of transformation, growth, and merriment. For whoever loves nature, participates in celebrations, or simply appreciates longer warmer days, spring is a season that brings joy and new life to many across the United States.
