CHARLOTTE, N.C. — March 1 is the first day of meteorological spring, so why does the calendar say spring starts on March 20?
Meteorologists and climatologists break down the seasons into three-month groups. Winter -- the coldest time of the year -- consists of December, January and February, and spring includes March, April and May. Summer -- the warmest time of the year -- consists of June, July and August, where fall includes September, October and November.
Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and are more consistent for that reason. In Charlotte, the average temperature during meteorological spring ranges from 59 degrees on March 1 to 83 degrees at the end of May as the transition into summer begins.
Astronomical spring, which starts on March 20, is based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun. It's also called the vernal equinox. In 2021, it specifically will take place at 5:37 p.m. ET and that marks the moment when the sun's rays are shining directly on the equator. That will be when the day and night are equal lengths.
The summer solstice (hits around late June) will be the longest day of the year and marks the start of summer.
The autumnal equinox will fall on Sept. 22, 2021, and marks the start of autumn. The winter solstice will be Dec. 21, 2021, and that day will have the fewest hours of sunlight in the year, often nicknamed the "shortest day" of the calendar year.
Whether you're talking about meteorological spring or astronomical spring, the days are getting longer either way.
On March 1, the sun sets at 6:19 p.m. But two weeks from now, the sun will set just after 7:30 p.m., so that's certainly something to look forward to.