While coronavirus is currently dominating the headlines, we have some good news for you - spring is almost finally here!
The Spring Equinox takes place on March 20 this year, at which point we can finally wave goodbye to winter.
The equinox, otherwise known as the Vernal Equinox, occurs because of the tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun.
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the start of Spring, while for the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the start of Autumn.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Spring Equinox, including when it is and how to celebrate.
When is the Spring Equinox?
This year, the Spring Equinox will take place on Friday March 20.
The Met Office explained: “Spring in the meteorological calendar is the season beginning in March and ending in May.
“Astronomically, spring typically starts on the day of the vernal (or spring) equinox which falls around the 20 March in the Northern Hemisphere.
“The equinox refers to when the sun's path crosses the equator and the day and night are of equal lengths lasting around 12 hours each.”
Why does the Spring Equinox happen?
The equinox occurs because of the tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun. This is what causes the seasons.
The Earth's tilt is 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit and means that, although one revolution of the planet takes 24 hours, it's different depending on the time of year.
During the summer time, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, so we get longer days as more light falls on this part of the planet.
In the winter time it's the Southern Hemisphere that gets the majority of the light.
On the spring equinox, the Earth hits the turning point in its orbit where neither the North or the South poles are tilted towards the sun.
As a result, the Sun spends a roughly equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on the Earth, so night and day are about the same length.
The word equinox is Latin for "equal night".
Meteorologists use it as the official turning point in the seasons because, although it can vary from year to year, it allows for the most accurate record-keeping.
