Spring Has Sprung (Or Has It?): A Tale of Two Springs
Ah, spring! That magical time of year when the birds sing, the flowers bloom, and your neighbours suddenly remember they own a lawnmower. But wait—before you start packing away your winter coat, we need to address a pressing issue: When does spring actually begin?
You see, there are two types of spring, because apparently, one wasn’t confusing enough.
Meteorological Spring: The Sensible One
Meteorologists—being the practical folks they are—like things tidy and predictable. So, for them, spring always starts on March 1st and ends on May 31st. Simple. No celestial calculations, no waiting for the planets to align—just three neat, equal months of slightly less miserable weather.
Think of meteorological spring as that friend who arrives precisely on time to a dinner party, regardless of whether the host is still in their dressing gown.
Astronomical Spring: The Drama Queen
Astronomical spring, on the other hand, insists on making a grand entrance. It doesn’t show up until the spring equinox, which can be anywhere between March 19th and 21st, depending on how the Earth, Sun, and their complicated long-distance relationship are feeling that year.
This version of spring is like the guest who insists they “simply cannot arrive before the lighting is just right.” Very elegant, very cosmic, but not the most reliable when you’re trying to plan a picnic.
Which One Should You Trust?
Well, if you’re a weather forecaster, a gardener, or someone who likes a bit of structure in life, meteorological spring is your best bet. If you prefer to be in tune with the cosmos and enjoy having an excuse to be fashionably late to seasonal changes, astronomical spring is for you.
Either way, one thing’s for sure: British weather will completely ignore both and continue doing whatever it likes.