Spring Equinox 2025: The Day When Day And Night Are Equal Across The Globe

March 20, marks the official beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, as the vernal equinox takes place. This event, occurring at 5:01 a.m. EST (0901 GMT), brings longer days and warmer temperatures as the sun crosses directly over Earth's equator, moving from south to north. This marks a shift from winter, with the Northern Hemisphere gradually tilting towards the sun.

The equinox is a moment of balance, where day and night are roughly equal in length across the globe. This happens because of the tilt of Earth's axis and its position in orbit around the sun. As the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun, spring is ushered in, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences the first day of autumn.

The term "equinox" comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), referring to the near-equal duration of day and night. This occurs twice a year: during the vernal equinox in spring and the autumnal equinox in fall. On this day, everywhere on Earth experiences close to 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west, no matter where you are.

While temperatures might still feel chilly in some places, the days are already growing longer, especially for those who observed daylight saving time on March 9. The equinox serves as a reminder that, from now on, the days will gradually stretch longer until the summer solstice on June 20, the longest day of the year.

During both the March and September equinoxes, the sun shines directly over the equator, bringing a sense of balance between the two hemispheres. These seasons feel more alike, with spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere sharing similar qualities. The change also brings quicker sunsets, as the sun sinks rapidly beneath the horizon over the following days.

As spring officially begins today, it signals a time of renewal and change, with nature beginning to awaken after the long winter months.