Spring arrived earlier than expected this year, with the vernal equinox occurring on March 19 at 11:06 p.m. EDT. This early start was due to 2024 being a leap year, adding an extra day in February to keep the calendar and seasons aligned. As a result, the first day of spring shifted a few hours earlier, marking the earliest beginning of spring since 1896. The Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to orbit the sun, so leap years help balance this discrepancy.
In 2020, another leap year, spring began on March 19 at 11:50 p.m. ET, but in 2024, it began even earlier at 11:06 p.m. ET. This trend of spring starting earlier on March 19 during leap years will continue until 2103. Meanwhile, 2025 and 2026 will see the spring equinox occur on March 20 at different times. The equinox marks the beginning of spring, with equal parts daylight and nighttime, as the Earth’s axis tilts to provide varying exposure to the sun throughout the year.
While meteorologists follow a different system for seasons, based on climate changes rather than astronomical events, the equinoxes and solstices signify the traditional seasonal shifts. The practice of leap years helps maintain the calendar’s accuracy and prevent changes in seasons over time. Astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy the unique timing phenomena brought about by Earth’s orbit around the sun, adding diversity to the changing of seasons.