This Will Be New York's Earliest Spring In Over 100 Years - Time Out

Go to the contentGo to the footerNo thanksSubscribe

🙌Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of New York straight to your inbox

We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities. Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city.

Enter email addressDéjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

No thanks

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of New York for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Enter email address

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

No thanks

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

NewsThis will be New York's earliest spring in over 100 yearsWritten by Shaye WeaverContributor, Time Out New YorkMonday March 9 2020ShareCopy LinkFacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppAdvertising

If it feels like spring is coming early, it actually is.

Usually spring arrives every March 21, but this year, it begins on March 19—that's earlier than it has been in 124 years (since 1896), according to the Farmer's Almanac.

RECOMMENDED: Best things to do in spring in NYC

What's the cause behind this good news? It has to do with leap year, the Earth's rotation around the sun and century marks.

Long story short—because the year 2000 was a leap year, the following spring equinoxes continued to happen earlier, moving from the 21 to the 20th.

"The consequences of that little move are what’s affecting us now. You’ve waited twenty years for this moment even if you weren’t aware of it," the Almanac states.

This year is a leap year (February 29th was on the calendar), so this year, and every four years from now on (every coming leap year), including 2024, 2028 and 2032, there will be a new record earliest start to spring, the almanac says. But don't worry, spring won't just continuously happen earlier and earlier. It all resets to March 21 in 2103.

"As every century wears on, the date slips earlier to the 20th and possibly even to the 19th of March, but this slippage gets halted and rectified by the omission of a leap day during the next century year, like in 1700, 1800 and 1900," the almanac says. "That creates a sudden 'jump' of one day, with the first day of summer, spring, and winter pushed to the 21st again, and all seems right with the world."

You can read more about the math of the matter on Patch.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Sign up to our newsletter to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as options when you're feeling flush).Enter email addressDéjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Popular on Time Out

[image]

[title]

Popular on Time Out

[image]

[category]

[title]

Latest newsMore news

[image]

[category]

[title]

Discover Time Out original video

 

AdvertisingBack to TopClose

Get us in your inbox

Email addressDéjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

instagramtiktokfacebooktwitteryoutube

About us

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Our awards
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies

Contact us

• Get Listed
• Claim your listing
• Local Marketing Solutions
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide
• Guidebook
• Movies
• Music Lists
• Restaurants
• Neighborhood Guides

Site map© 2025 Time Out England Limited and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. All rights reserved. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out Digital Limited.