When is the start of spring?

Spring is here – we all love to notice signs of renewal of the season – but when exactly is the start of spring?

There are three different measures we can use:

Meteorological

Fixed every year to ensure statistics are consistent throughout time. Spring in the northern hemisphere starts on 1 March and autumn on 1 September. Dates have been decided using temperature data.

Astronomical

Follows the equinox and can vary slightly each year. Spring falls between 19-23 March and autumn 22-24 September. In 2026, astronomical spring begins on the 20 March.

Phenological

Follows biological events and their response to weather and climate. This is a fascinating study which shows how nature reacts to changes in climate. Nature’s Calendar uses public sightings of plants, animals and fungi to track the effects of weather and climate on nature. This is a Woodland Trust project.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cly24dxeer1o