What is the difference between the beginning of spring in astronomy and in meteorology?

Weather of Arabia - With the first days of the month of March, the spring season begins in meteorology, but we know that the spring season begins on March 21, so why are there two dates for the beginning of the spring season, and what is the difference between them?

The beginning of spring in meteorology

Spring in meteorology begins on March 1 each year, the unofficial beginning of spring determined by the annual temperature cycle and weather patterns.

As meteorologists and climatologists divide the seasons into groups, each of which has a duration of three months, based on the similarity in temperatures, and the spring season in meteorology includes the three months; March, April and May, because the temperatures are almost the same, and change regularly during those months.

The beginning of spring astronomically

The beginning of the spring season is astronomically considered the official start of spring, which is linked to the vernal equinox ( Equinox ) and the location of the earth in relation to the sun, as it will be in the northern hemisphere on March 21 (or around it), and on this day the earth’s axis does not tilt towards the sun or away from it. This means that the hours of the day are equal to the hours of the night at all latitudes.

Why are different dates for the beginning of seasons determined in meteorology?

Determining dates for the four seasons in meteorology was due to the difference in length from 89 to 93 days in the duration of the astronomical seasons, and it was difficult for experts to compare statistics from one year to another, and weather science and meteorology remain important in studying the beginnings of the seasons depending on the average temperatures This is due to its proximity to what is actually happening on the ground, and this is of great importance to various sectors such as the agricultural sector, the industrial sector, and others .

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What is the vernal equinox?

Facts about the day of the vernal equinox make it distinct from the rest of the year