When does spring start? Here’s when the equinox takes place

Winter is less than a month away in the Chicago area, but many residents may be curious about when spring begins later this year.

Astronomical winter began in the Northern Hemisphere on the afternoon of December 21, 2024, meaning we are just three weeks into the three-month season.

This is when spring begins later this year.

When is the spring equinox?

According to EarthSkyThe spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will occur at 4:01 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday, March 20.

On that date, there will be approximately the same number of hours of daylight and night, and the sun will cross what is known as the “celestial equator,” meaning it will continue to get warmer in the northern hemisphere and the days will continue to get longer. until the summer solstice in June.

What milestones are coming in terms of hours of light?

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Depending on the time and date, Chicago will see its first sunset after 5 pm in a matter of weeks, with that milestone occurring on January 28.

Three days later, Chicago will see more than 10 hours of daylight for the first time since the fall, and the days will continue to get longer.

By the end of February, the city will receive more than 11 hours of daylight and on March 9, Chicago will switch to daylight saving time, pushing sunset closer to 7 p.m.

By the spring equinox, Chicago will have already surpassed 12 hours of daylight, and the sun will remain elevated for about 12 hours and 10 minutes as the city gains nearly three minutes of daylight per day.

What could the weather be like?

According to the National Weather ServiceThe average high temperature on March 20 in the city of Chicago is just under 49 degrees, and the average low creeps above the freezing mark for the first time this year.

At the end of March, the average temperature will be around 50 degrees.