How Far Has Spring Made It?

Spring is the season between winter and summer where temperatures begin to gradually rise. Spring brings forward ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. Springtime is when flowers bloom and trees bud. Many animals give birth in the spring too. Bunnies, deer, goats, skunks, birds, and more are all born in the spring season. Although it doesn’t arrive on the same day each year, spring always falls on March 19, March 20, or March 21 in the northern hemisphere. The entire process of rising temps and budding trees begins at different times across the United States. Take a look at this map below put together by Redditor u/Jsillin who looked at data from the USA National Phenology Network to create this chart.

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As of April 3rd 2021, you can see where the first buds and small leaves have sprung starting in the southern half of the United States. While much of the south is already in full bloom, the majority of states in the Mideast have buds on their trees outside. About half of Pennsylvania is seeing the first leaves of the season with the rest of the northern half and states above still waiting to see small leaves on their trees. In the western states, spring takes a little bit more time to show up. Even though Colorado does not have leaves on its trees just yet, its neighbor to the East, Kansas, does. As I sit in my home on the east coast, looking out my window, I see the first baby buds on the trees outside, a sure sign that green leaves are not so far away! After the year we have all had in lockdown, this spring rebirth is a poignant reminder of what we have all overcome.