Everyone associates spring with something different. For one, this is childhood with boats in streams, for another - blooming apricot orchards, and someone remembers the first presented snowdrops. The beginning of spring can be celebrated several times, and every
the moment of her arrival in the same year will be correct. You might be surprised and want to know when spring actually starts. Let's look at some facts together.
Calendar spring
The change of seasons on our planet is connected with its rotation around the Sun. As you know, the Earth makes a complete revolution around the luminary in 365 (366) days a year, of which 92 fall in the spring. By the way, it is believed that the beginning of astronomical spring is the day of the vernal equinox (this is March 20 or 21). Any first-grader knows from what month spring begins according to the Gregorian calendar (according to which we all live) - this is March. The 1st of this month marksthe arrival of the season so beloved by many. For most people, this period is the beginning of accomplishments, the expected prosperity and, most importantly, the time of hope. But the onset of March does not always mean that nature is ready to throw off the veil of snowy sleep.
Meteorological spring
Calendar spring may not coincide with meteorological spring. Their start dates sometimes vary considerably. The arrival of spring in meteorology is determined by the Hydrometeorological Center. When will spring begin according to weather forecasts,
is determined using the indicator of the average daily temperature. If this value exceeds 0 degrees Celsius, it is believed that it is possible to truly celebrate the arrival of spring. This is the beginning of the awakening of nature. And the calendar may already be mid-March.
The beginning of spring among the people
Our ancestors believed that spring comes into its own on February 1st. The fact is that this date used to be the celebration of Gromovitsy - the last day of winter. The holiday was widespread in the Polotsk land, in Russia its name is the Presentation. When spring begins, the people knew - on this day. It was on February 1 that the decisive battle took place: the aging Winter gave a desperate battle to the Red Spring. People called on the Sun to shine brighter and arranged winter games (wall to wall). This fun symbolized the meeting of two seasons. And the holiday was called Gromovitsa because it was considered the only winter day when a thunderstorm could break out.
Divination Animals
Spring for almost every native of the former Soviet republicsassociated with the painting
Alexey Savrasov "The Rooks Have Arrived". Melting snow, birds on several birches, whose quivering trunks seem to be reaching for the sun, the outskirts of some provincial town - all together this perfectly conveys the atmosphere of the coming spring. Nature is still sleeping, but certain signs indicate that it will begin to wake up very soon. The main evidence is the arriving rooks. People very often used animals and birds to determine when spring begins. Upon the return of migratory birds, rooks and buntings, they judged the imminent warming. The people considered the oatmeal bird to be a harbinger of the imminent steady heat. In ancient Russia, on March 3, it was customary to honor her. In honor of the bird, pies were baked from oatmeal.
In the US, there is a tradition to predict when spring will begin, resorting to the groundhog prediction. This kind of fun has already reached the CIS countries. Having woken up the animal, the audience tries to determine the length of its shadow, thus foreseeing an early spring or a long winter. In the spring, many animals begin the rut, which also indicates the beginning of a new mating season. But the knock of a woodpecker in March suggests that spring is delayed.
Signs of spring
Animals can predict the awakening of nature and determine the beginning of the spring season. But humanity has also developed its own signs over the years, and knowledgeable people can easily find out by certain natural phenomena when
spring will begin. Warming on Tatyana's day (January 25) and bright sun herald the early arrival of the warm season. Long icicles indicate that the spring will be long and protracted. People also noticed that when snowstorms occur in March, and at the same time the snow is stacked in mounds, you can expect a rich harvest for vegetables and spring crops. If the snow began to melt very early, it will not melt completely for a long time. One of the signs of spring is associated with the feast of Theodosius the Great (among the people, Theodosius the Vesnyak). His date is January 24th. It is believed that according to the weather on this day it is easy to determine when spring will begin: if it is sunny outside, it will be early, if it is cloudy, you will have to wait. People also note that if migratory birds return on time, then there will be a large harvest of bread. And the March clouds moving fast and high in the sky are a good sign that you can expect beautiful weather.
Spring seasons
Spring can be divided into three periods: the first is pre-spring, the second is spring itself, and the third is pre-summer. Pre-spring comes with melting snow, icicles and more and more often the sun appears from behind the clouds. This period is characterized by sharp fluctuations in day and night temperatures, and the daily average can drop below zero. Soon the second stage will replace the pre-spring. By the time a full-fledged spring begins, all the snow should already have melted. The first grass breaks through, insects appear, buds swell on the trees. The period of this spring ends with the flowering of bird cherry, with the inherentbrief cold weather. And it is replaced by a warm prelude, which lasts until the onset of the next season.
But summer is a topic for the next post.
