Spring arrival in Pakistan: Understanding the spring equinox

ISLAMABAD: Winters are officially over. It is time to put away coats and heaters and welcome warmer temperatures. As the spring equinox is set to occur in early hours of Wednesday in Pakistan, people across the northern hemisphere prepare for the arrival of the spring season.

What is spring equinox?

The spring equinox occurs when the Earth’s axis lines up perfectly with the sun. During this time, the Earth’s axis is positioned right in the middle, neither titled towards nor away from the sun. As a result, daytime and nighttime become almost the same length.

Due to this alignment, sunlight hits the Earth more directly, making days longer and temperatures warmer in the northern hemisphere.

This celestial event marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, while in the southern hemisphere, it marks the onset of the autumn season.

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Meteorological seasons are determined by temperature cycles and March 1 is designated as the start of spring. However, astronomical seasons that includes the spring equinox are based on the Earth’s position relative to the sun.

While meteorological calendars designate March 1 as the commencement of spring based on temperature patterns, astronomical seasons, including the spring equinox, are rooted in the Earth’s positioning relative to the sun, painting a broader picture of seasonal change. The cyclical nature of the Earth’s orbit around the sun is what causes the change in seasons.

For Pakistan and other regions in the northern hemisphere, the looming arrival of the spring equinox will bring earlier sunrise, extended daylight, warmer temperatures, and shorter nights. Nature will awaken as well as plants will blossom, and some animals will awaken from their winter slumber.

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Following the equinox, daylight hours will progressively increase until the summer solstice in June, when days will start to shorten again.

The transition from winter to spring is celebrated across cultures such as Nowruz in Iran and Central Asia, Songkran in Thailand, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan, the Semana Santa in South America, and Holi in India.

Over the centuries, the timing of the spring equinox has shifted slightly due to the Gregorian calendar cycle. This year, the event will occur a bit earlier on March 20, instead of the traditional March 21.

In Pakistan, the spring equinox is set to occur on Wednesday at 8:06 am Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).