THE END OF WINTER
Table of Contents
THE END OF WINTER 1
Today is the Vernal Equinox? 1
The Astronomical Calendar: 1
The Meteorological Calendar 2
Summer 1/6 -31/8 2
I write this on the morning of the 20th March 2023 – a special date in both astronomical and meteorological terms.
Today is the Vernal Equinox – alternatively referred to as the Spring Equinox?
So, called because the hours of daylight (sunrise to sunset) are equal to the hours of darkness (the other way around!).
So, your logical mind is now thinking that – it happens twice a year then?
Absolutely correct. So, there are two Equinoxes – Equinii ? one in spring i.e. today and one in Autumn– 22/9.
There are also two corresponding Solstice – shortest and longest day – see below –
The Astronomical Calendar:
N>B> These dates are applicable to the northern hemisphere only – (the southern hemisphere being diametrically opposite).
20/3 Spring begins. (Equinox)
21/6 Summer begins (Solstice – longest day)
22/9 Autumn begins. (Equinox)
21/12 Winter begins. (Solstice – shortest day)
A 4 billion years old precision clock – in perfect symmetry.
Mind you – if it wasn’t – none of us would be here to know!
The Meteorological Calendar
To avoid confusion – the Met Office in the UK – uses a simplified version of an annual seasonal calendar – taking into account the annual temperature cycle – which the solar system doesn’t bother with.
they divide the year into four equal seasons of three months each -thus:
Spring 1/3 – 31/ 5
Summer 1/6 -31/8
Autumn 1/9 – 30/11
Winter 1/12 – 28 or 29/2
So, a little basic – but good enough to deal with the vagaries of weather. forecasting
So Have a good Spring.