#SpringIntoScience with NOAA

It's officially spring in the Northern Hemisphere and NOAA is here to celebrate! From graphics to educational resources, spring into science with us and check out our content.

Infographic: What's happening in the ocean in springtime?

Diagram of the ocean that shows upwelling, a plankton bloom, sea ice, humpback whale migration. Read the narrative at www.noaa.gov/education/infographic/what-happens-in-ocean-in-springtime.
What's happening in the ocean in springtime?

How can you tell if spring has sprung in the sea?

Changing seasons: Meteorological vs. astronomical spring

A graphic of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Meteorological seasons: Winter starts on Dec. 1, spring on Mar. 1, summer on June 1, and fall on Sept. 1. Astronomical seasons: Winter begins on the winter solstice (Dec. 21) when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent away from the sun, spring begins on the spring equinox (Mar. 20), summer begins on the summer solstice (June 21), when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent toward the sun, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox (Sept.21).
Meteorological vs. astronomical seasons

Do you know the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?

Click to see this graphic for the Southern Hemisphere

A graphic of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Meteorological seasons: Winter starts on Jun. 1, spring on Sep. 1, summer on Dec. 1, and fall on Mar. 1. Astronomical seasons: Winter begins on the winter solstice (Jun. 21) when the South Pole is tilted to the max extent away from the sun, spring begins on the spring equinox (Sep. 22), summer begins on the summer solstice (Dec. 21), when the South Pole is tilted to the max extent toward the sun, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox (Mar. 20).
Do you know the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun, whereas meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle. The Earth’s annual trip around the sun forms the basis for the astronomical calendar in which seasons are defined by two solstices and two equinoxes. The Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis of rotation, and how the North Pole is oriented toward or away from the sun determines two of these astronomical dates. At the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole is tilted away from the sun, whereas at the summer solstice, the South Pole is tilted toward the sun. The equinoxes occur halfway between these events when the sun’s path is aligned with the Earth’s equator. The dates shown describe the astronomical seasons for the Southern Hemisphere in 2022; the exact dates vary slightly from year to year. Meteorological seasons are broken down into groupings of three months in our civil calendar based on the annual temperature cycle. We generally think of winter as the coldest time of the year and summer as the warmest time of the year, with spring and fall being the transition seasons. (NOAA Office of Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
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What does spring have in store?

Photo of a man walks through floodwaters downstream from a levee break along the Pajaro River in Monterey County, California. Heavy rain from an atmospheric river caused the levee to fail. March 12, 2023. Credit: California Department of Water Resources.
Spring Outlook: California drought cut by half with more relief to come

Moderate to major spring flooding predicted along upper Mississippi River from Minneapolis to St. Louis.

Coldest and warmest day of spring showing colored dots on a map.
U.S. spring extremes: Coldest and warmest first day of spring

Based on historical climate data from stations across the United States, these maps show the warmest and coldest temperatures ever recorded at a given location on March 19.

Climate-related planting zones color coded on a shaded green map of the United States.
Shifts in U.S. planting zones between 1971-2000 and 1981-2010

How cold the winter is will determine which plants will thrive in spring in a given location. This set of maps help you see how planting zones may have shifted over the past few decades in response to a warming climate.

This curious groundhog isn't Punxsutawney Phil, but he (or she) sure is cute.
Everyone's favorite groundhog predicts 6 more weeks of winter

At the crack of dawn on February 2, 2023, the nation's most famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow — meaning six more weeks of winter, according to longstanding folklore. But will he be right? 

Spring safety

Sun and clouds over mountains and water.
Spring weather safety

National Weather Service forecasters are the first line of defense in predicting severe weather.

A tornado is one of many spring weather hazards.
Seguridad meteorológica

Por favor, ayude al Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (NWS) a difundir estos importantes mensajes de seguridad para ayudar al NWS a construir una Nación Preparada para el Clima.

A sign mounted to a bright orange post (which also holds a life ring) is in the foreground of a large body of water. Sign text: Rip currents: Break the Grip of the Rip! If caught in a rip current, don't fight the current. Swim out of the current, then to shore. If you can't escape, float or tread water. If you need help, call or wave for assistance. Safety: Know how to swim. Never swim alone. If in doubt, don't go out.
Rip currents: Protect yourself to save others

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water. Learn how you can protect yourself from these risky currents.