Meteorological Spring Begins: How El Niño Could Impact Temps In CA

CALIFORNIA — The first day of meteorological spring got off to a wintry start in the Golden State Friday as a blizzard slammed the Sierra and temperatures tumbled for many this weekend.

Astronomical seasons change with equinoxes and solstices, determined by Earth’s tilt and the sun’s alignment over the equator. On that calendar, the vernal equinox on Tuesday, March 19, marks the official first day of spring.

Meteorological observing and forecasting led to the creation of the meteorological seasons, which are broken into four three-month blocks based on the actual temperature cycle and calendar. The meteorological seasons more closely reflect actual conditions than do astronomical seasons, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Education.

A recent forecast from The Weather Channel and Atmospheric G2 said spring will arrive early in most of the United States as an El Niño climate pattern falls apart after many areas saw a record-mild winter.

In California, extremely hazardous conditions have spurred a rare blizzard warning in the Sierra through Sunday morning and repeated warnings for drivers to avoid mountain travel until the storm passes. NorCal and SoCal are enduring another round of weekend wind and rain.

Generally, meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere is thought of as a three-month transition season from winter to summer that occurs in March, April and May.

Meteorological fall — September, October and November — is also thought of as a time of transition, from summer to winter. Meteorological summer starts June 1 and continues through August, and meteorological winter starts Dec. 1 and continues through February of the following year.

That look at the season ahead suggests northern and central portions of California could see a warmer-than-average trend between March and May, with even odds on how things shake out in SoCal.