Why Meteorologists Say Spring Started Yesterday — Even if It Feels Like Winter

Liberty, NY —Despite lingering chilly temperatures, meteorologists say Spring officially began March 1 — at least according to the meteorological calendar.

Meteorological spring, defined by the National Weather Service as the three months of March, April, and May, begins after the 91 coldest days of the year — typically ending February — and is designed to make seasonal statistics easier to track. Astronomical spring, marked by the Vernal Equinox, doesn’t arrive until March 20 at 10:46 a.m. Eastern, when the sun crosses the celestial equator.

“From a statistical perspective, it’s just easier to have fixed months for each season,” said Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. “The equinox shifts slightly from year to year, so meteorological seasons give us a clean framework to track averages and trends.”

March is known for its weather volatility, Merrill said. The lingering Arctic cold collides with warming southern air, often producing dramatic swings in temperature. “That’s why we get storms one day, warm sun the next. The Arctic is still cold, but southern areas warm quickly, and March becomes a battleground for these air masses.”

Residents in the Catskills and Upper Delaware River Valley can expect a taste of that volatility this week. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from Tuesday 7am through 3am Wednesday. AccuWeather predicts 1 to 3 inches of snow tomorrow, transitioning to rain as temperatures climb into the 50s by midweek. The combination of melting ice and rising rivers raises the risk of ice-jam flooding, even with modest precipitation.

Merrill also noted a stratospheric warming event this month, which can temporarily dislodge cold air and bring late-season chills. For the Catskills, that may mean a brief return to cooler temperatures around mid-March, even as the region experiences an early stretch of springlike warmth.

Merrill said, “Early March is usually volatile because of the temperature tug-of-war between the Arctic and southern air masses.”

So, while the calendar may say spring has arrived, residents shouldn’t be surprised if winter’s icy grip makes one last appearance before the Vernal Equinox officially ushers in the season.

“That’s March in the Northeast,” said Merrill.

Image Credit: SullivanCatskills.com