Despite the generally winter-like weather here in Tahoe, and the Earth's slight shift of axis recently, the first day of spring has arrived.

Balance of Light and Dark
In the third week of March each year, the Vernal Equinox occurs, when the sun is over the equator at high noon and for a brief time is shining "equally" in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

As clearly noted here in Lake Tahoe this year, the Vernal Equinox is the astrological first day of spring and bears little resemblance to spring in terms of weather.

North Pole
The sun will travel northward, relatively, until the third week in June, when the Northern Hemisphere has its longest day, i.e., period of daylight, known as the Summer Solstice. The sun then heads southward again and crosses the equator on the day of the Autumnal Equinox in September.

For more about the Vernal Equinox, visit www.timeanddate.com.