Start of Astronomical Spring - 10:47 AM
The spring equinox (also called the vernal equinox) marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when Earth's axial tilt positions the Sun directly over the equator, making day and night nearly equal in length worldwide (though not perfectly due to atmospheric refraction and the Sun's disk size—typically a few extra minutes of daylight at mid-latitudes).
For North Georgia (including nearby areas around 34°N latitude), the spring equinox in 2026 falls on Friday, March 20, with the exact moment at 10:46 a.m. EDT (corresponding to 14:46 UTC).
Key effects at your location:
Nearly equal day and night: Expect about 12 hours of daylight, often slightly more (around 12 hours and 4–8 minutes due to refraction bending sunlight, making sunrise appear earlier and sunset later). For reference, in nearby Atlanta:
On or around March 20, sunrise is typically ~7:15 a.m. EDT, sunset ~6:27–6:28 p.m. EDT, for roughly 12 hours 12 minutes of daylight.
North Georgia (slightly farther north) sees very similar values, with daylight crossing the 12-hour mark right around this date.
Sun position: The Sun rises due east and sets due west (azimuth ~90° and ~270°), reaching its highest point at solar noon around 55–60° above the horizon (much lower than the summer solstice's ~79–80°).
Why it matters here: At ~34°N, the transition feels noticeable—days are rapidly lengthening after winter (gaining ~2 minutes per day around equinox time). This kicks off warmer trends, blooming seasons (think dogwoods, azaleas, and pollen!), and the shift from short winter days toward the long summer ones.
After the equinox, daylight continues to increase until the June solstice. It's a great time for outdoor plans as evenings stretch out and temperatures climb in North Georgia. Happy spring—enjoy the balance and renewal!
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