When does spring start in the UK?
From the dawn chorus and snowdrops nosing through the frosty ground to blossom buds emerging on trees, the first flourishes of spring are just around the corner.
Another telling sign that the season has landed is your spring-flowering garden bulbs starting to rear their heads, as well as the dots of vibrant yellow daffodils popping up in fields across the country.
But when does the season officially start in the UK and what exactly is the spring equinox?
When does spring start?
According to the Met Office, the dates for spring depend on whether you are following the astronomical or metrological calendar.
The date for astronomical spring is Thursday 20th March 2025, ending on Wednesday 21st June. Whereas, according to the meteorological calendar, spring will start on Saturday 1st March.
"Spring can start at different times, depending on who you ask," the Met Office say. "Looking at the astronomical calendar the first day of spring is 20th March. The Phenomenological method records dates of reoccurring natural phenomena such as flowering. For meteorologists, spring starts on 1st March and runs until 31st May."
Why is it called spring?
The spring season gets its name from the verb "spring", referring to the flowers and plants springing up after the long winter months.
Originally, spring was first called "lent" in the old England language, and was then changed to "springing time" in the 14th century. Then, in the 15th century, this was shortened to "spring-time" and again to "spring" in the 16th century.
It also refers to the clocks "springing" forward when daylight saving begins (it falls on Sunday 30th March this year).
Which months are considered spring in the UK?
For most of the northern hemisphere, the spring months are March, April and May, says the Royal Greenwich Observatory.
Meteorologists tend to divide seasons into periods of three whole months based on average monthly temperatures, with summer as the warmest and winter as the coldest. Following spring, June, July and August make up summer while September, October and November form autumn and December, January and February are known as winter.
What is the spring equinox?
The spring equinox marks the start of spring and, from this day forward, days are longer than nights. The same applies to autumn equinox in October, which marks the start of autumn as night becomes longer than the day.
The term 'solstice' however, is slightly different. Summer and winter solstice refers to the time of year when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south, respectively – hence marking the longest day of the year in the summer, with the most daylight, and the shortest day of the year in winter with the least.
What is the difference between meteorological spring and astronomical spring?
The main difference between meteorological spring and astronomical spring is the way the season is defined. The former is based on the annual temperature cycle and the calendar, which means every year spring falls on March 1 and ends on May 31.
Whereas the astronomical spring changes every year based on the earth's position to the sun. This year it starts on Thursday 20th March and will end on Saturday 21st June.
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