After what has felt like a long, cold winter, we've finally been able to enjoy some warmer weather to finish off February. While more cold weather is likely before we stay warmer, we are seeing more signs of spring!
Days continue to get longer as the sun rises a little sooner each morning and the sun sets a little later each night. On the first day of winter, back on December 21st, the sun rose at 7:46 am and set at 4:58 pm in Omaha, giving us about 9 hours and 12 minutes of daylight. On March 1st, sunrise will be at 6:58 am and sunset will be at 6:15 pm. which is about 11 hours and 43 minutes of daylight. So since our shortest day of the year to now, we have gained about 2 hours and 31 minutes of extra daylight in Omaha!
Not only are we seeing longer days, but the sun is also climbing higher in the sky. The earth's northern hemisphere is tilting back towards the sun, giving us more direct sunlight. The more direct sunlight and longer days are both helping us warm up and conquer winter.
Most people will wait until March 20th to officially declare spring has arrived, but you could move your countdown up to March 1st. March 20th is the start of astronomical spring, when the sun's direct rays fall on the equator. But not everyone waits that long. March 1st is the start of meteorological spring and continues through the last day of May. This makes comparing one year's spring to another much easier. It also allows for the 3 coldest months (December, January, February) to be meteorological winter and the 3 warmest months (June, July, August) to be meteorological summer.
Spring is the time of year winter and summer battle each other. At times, we will be cold, and at other times we will be warm. Overall though, temperatures will be climbing. On March 1st, the average high in Omaha will be 44 degrees. On April 1st, our average high climbs to 58. To finish off spring, our average high will be all the way up to 79!
With a little patience, winter will be gone before we know it!!
