http://vibrantme.co.uk/contact
Every year it feels like I have the same debate with friends, family, the bus driver and the lady on my webhost's help line. Are we in Spring yet? Is this Spring?
The daffodils are in full bloom. Check.
It is March. Check.
It should be Spring right? But it is still cold and rainy...... hmmm
Clearly the answer isn't so straight forward, or is it.....,
There are different schools of thoughts regarding this incredibly important British meteorological matter and that there different dates sited on the internet which potentially herald the start of Spring and sunshine in rainy England. We hope.
Every year, I launch into an in-depth chat with Dr Google or Professor Chrome. My brain is such a sieve that every year I forget the exact reason for the divergent views and, when asked, I mumble something about it being to do with the sun or moon versus the scientists' view, namely that of meteorologists and climatologists.
So here it is.
The meteorologists in temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere (like the UK) break down the seasons into 4 blocks of 3 months, which represent the 3 hottest months and 3 coldest months on record and those in between. Winter being the coldest recorded months - December, January and February and Summer being the hottest recorded months - June, July and August. With the transitional seasons of Spring and Autumn falling in between. Hence in the Northern Hemisphere Meteorological Spring falls in March, April and May. Easy peasy.
But, the Astronomists beg to differ, and the Astronomical seasons are not so cut and dried and vary from year to year. All depending on the position of Sun in relation to the Earth. Apologies to all Astronomists, but my understanding is that when the Sun is directly over the Equator and we have equal hours of daylight and nighttime, this signifies an Equinox, which marks a transition into Spring, or Autumn. Then on the longest and shortest days of the year we transition into Summer and Winter respectively.
Since we are talking about Spring, when exactly is this famous Spring Equinox?
Well, it is not always on the same date, due, in part, to the fact that the Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the Sun. So, like this year, we have a 366-day Leap Year every 4 years. Combine that with the fact that the Earth takes an elliptical path around the Sun, and we end up with seasons that can vary in length between 89 and 93 days and consequently start on different days each year. This whole malarky led to the meteorological calendar being born, so that seasons were of a consistent length which helped climatologists compare seasonal statistics from year to year. Phew. Clear?
So, there you have it. Maybe we are in Spring, maybe we are not.
You may also believe that it is Spring when you see the first daffodils in the park, lambs in the field or goslings at the pond. Personally, I believe that if the weather is good in March, then we are definitely in Spring, and if it's cold and rainy then Spring 100% starts after the Spring Equinox or even later. I am happy to be flexible in my Springtime beliefs and whatever makes me feel happier about the good old English Weather. ..... As it is currently raining, I can't wait for Spring to arrive with the Spring Equinox......
In the meantime, what are your plans for a Spring clean? Are you ready to jump into action and start a health programme, or start reintroducing some daily health habits? Sign up for a free health consultation now and get kick started into Spring!
