What is the spring equinox and how does it different from meteorological spring?
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — It may be hard to believe since most of Siouxland just went through a blizzard, but the spring equinox occurred at 4:01 a.m. Thursday morning, March 20th.
Some may be wondering, what is the spring equniox and how is it different from meteorological spring?
'Bunnies and Buddies' photo shoot to return at Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue
The solstices and equinoxes are based on the Earth's orbit in relation to the sun. For the majority of the year, the Earth's axis is either facing toward of away from the sun, but at different times of the year based on if you are in the northern or southern hemisphere. From the start of the spring equinox to the autumnal equinox, it is facing toward the sun, and away from the sun for the other half of the year.
The equinox, refers to the latin words 'equal' and 'night' where the days and nights are nearly equal in length and in both hemispheres. The spring equinox starts in the northern hemisphere between March 19th and 21st, whereas the autumnal equinox begins between September 21st and 23rd. This is the opposite times in the southern hemisphere.
The solstice is when we have the most and least amount of daylight, and when the Earth's axis is closest and furthest away from the sun. The winter solstice is when we have the least amount of daylight, which usually occurs around December 20th through 22nd in the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice is when we have the most daylight, which usually occurs around June 20th through 22nd. This is also the opposite times in the southern hemisphere.
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The meteorological seasons are based on the temperature cycles, where meteorological spring starts on March 1st, meteorological summer begins June 1st, meteorological fall begins September 1st, and meteorological winter begins on December 1st.
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