In spring, the natural world revives after winter as temperatures gradually rise
. The Earth's axis begins to tilt towards the sun, resulting in longer and warmer days
. Natural Events:
- Plant Growth Dormant plants begin to grow again, and new seedlings sprout
. Many flowering plants bloom in succession, sometimes when snow is still present
. Trees start to bud with new green leaves
- Hibernating Animals Animals that hibernate, such as bears, awaken and become active
- Migratory Birds Many birds migrate poleward in response to warmer temperatures
. Migrant birds return to areas such as the UK
- Frogspawn Frogspawn (amphibian eggs) starts to appear in ponds
- Weather Snow begins to melt, increasing stream runoff, and frosts become less severe
. Unstable weather may occur when warm air from lower latitudes meets cold air from the Polar regions
Other Facts about Spring:
- The Northern Hemisphere generally defines spring as the time between the vernal equinox (around March 20 or 21) and the summer solstice (June 21 or 22)
. In the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs from September 22 or 23 to December 22 or 23
- Spring is associated with the sowing of crops in European cultures
- Observed "season creep" indicates that spring's phenological signs are occurring earlier in many regions, about two days per decade
- Common holidays that occur during the spring include Easter, Passover, April Fools' Day, Earth Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day
