Welcome Spring

Following months of particularly harsh winter weather, Spring has finally arrived. The Vernal Equinox will arrive locally this year on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 12:57 p.m. Generally associated with one of two times of the year when the day and night are equal, actually that distinct divide rarely falls on the actual Vernal Equinox. This year, for example, there is expected to be 12 hours, eight minutes and 7 seconds of daytime hours on March 20th. The closest day this month to equal night and day house came on March 16th, when only one minute and one second separated the daylight and nighttime hours.

Jewish Passover and Easter Sunday celebrations are both directly influenced by the Vernal Equinox. Passover is traditionally observed on the first full moon following the Vernal Equinox. Easter Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday, following the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox. If the first full moon coincides with the Vernal Equinox, Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday. The next full moon is expected on April 15, 2014 and Easter will be celebrated on April 20, 2014.

While there may be a few more cold weather days ahead, flowers are already beginning to bloom and trees are budding, promising another lovely spring in East Tennessee.