After the storm, spring: Equinox signals warmer days ahead
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The wait is finally over.
On March 20, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. the sun will divide its time in equal parts between day and night. In scientific terms this is called the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is determined when the sun crosses the celestial equator enabling this equal split of light in the northern hemisphere. Although typically recognized on March 20, it occasionally appears on March 21 because of variations in the earth’s orbit.
Etymology, is Latin for equal night, and signifies the official beginning of spring. It would appear that given the blizzard like conditions earlier this week, that the groundhog from Pennsylvania was correct in his prediction of six more weeks of winter. The area was slammed with 60 mile per hour winds and although modest amounts of snow fell, it still caused considerable travel difficulties.
On Tuesday temperatures still hovered well within winter like numbers. Looking ahead to the end of the week weather forecasts, it would appear that winter’s re-emergence was indeed temporary as temperatures are expected to exceed 70 and in fact get close to 80 degrees.
From the first day of spring on forward we can expect each day to get a bit longer until the next equinox event that takes place on June 21 when the summer solstice begins — signifying the first official day of summer. This is the longest daylight event of the year. Each day after this summertime marathon will bring about shorter and shorter days until, ultimately, fall arrives and gives way to yet another winter.
Until then, the area is looking forward to mild weather, outdoor barbecues and the sounds of little leaguers rounding the bases in Judge Lewis Park and parks and playgrounds all across Ringgold County. Let the games begin.
