Five Things You Need to Know Today, March 20

1. Today's weather: The National Weather Service is calling for a chance of snow showers before 8 a.m. and mostly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 41 degrees. On Wednesday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 24 degrees.

2. Spring is here: Believe it or not, today, March 20, is the first day of spring. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, spring officially begins with the vernal equinox at 7:02 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, in the Northern Hemisphere. Let the melting begin.

3. Shipyard workers rally: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers and hundreds of other federal employees, AFL-CIO union members, business people and others will hold a rally against sequestration on Thursday at noon at Prescott Park.

4. Listen to the music: Portsmouth is celebrating “Music in Our Schools Month” throughout March and this Wednesday Grades 5-12 will perform at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School. There is a suggested donation of $2 for adults.

5. Fire Commissioners meeting: The city Board of Fire Commissioners is scheduled to meet at the Central Fire Station on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The agenda can be viewed on the city's website..