The start of spring 2023 is here, but Oklahoma hasn't said goodbye to cooler temps

Jana Hayes, Oklahoman
·2 min read
March 20 marks the first day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere.
March 20 marks the first day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere.

It might not feel like it after a chilly March weekend, but spring has officially arrived in Oklahoma.

Here's everything you need to know about the start of spring, also known as the spring equinox, and what meteorologists say Oklahomans can expect weather-wise this week.

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When is the first day of spring?

The first day of spring, according to the astronomical measuring of the seasons, is March 20, 2023, in the Northern Hemisphere.

This date is also known as the spring equinox, and is an astronomical way of measuring the season changes. But "meteorological" spring began the first day of March, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and are broken down into three-month spans.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration graphic shows the timing of the seasonal equinoxes and solstices, as well as the "meteorological" seasons. Photo Provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration graphic shows the timing of the seasonal equinoxes and solstices, as well as the "meteorological" seasons. Photo Provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

What is the spring equinox?

The spring equinox is one of two equinoxes every year on Earth. These, in addition to the two solstices, often dictate when people celebrate the changing of the seasons.

These "astronomical seasons" are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun. During the spring, or vernal, equinox, the sun's rays shine perpendicular to the Earth's surface over the Equator. The summer and winter solstices occur when the North and South Pole's are tilted toward the sun.

The equinoxes and solstices have opposite dates in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres — the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox is the Southern Hemisphere's autumnal equinox, and vice versa.

Oklahoma to warm up this week before cooler temperatures return

While the start of spring is associated with progressively warmer temperatures, anyone who's lived in Oklahoma during the change of seasons knows this isn't necessarily the case.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Norman said temperatures will climb into the 70s and 80s by Wednesday, but will drop back to the 50s and 60s in the latter half of the week.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: It's the first day of spring, but what exactly is the spring equinox?