Spring is Near

February 19, 2021 by Team Journey North

The spring equinox is just over a month away. Tomorrow, report your day length for February 20. The days are slowly getting longer and although winter still has a firm grip throughout North America, signs of spring are starting to emerge.

First daffodils broke ground through compost. 50 degrees today, snow tomorrow. Zone 7, Maryland. Photo by: Joe (Bishopville, MD; 02/06/2021)

Signs of Spring

Have you noticed day length slowly increasing or any seasonal signs of spring? Many Journey North citizen scientists are picking up on small, subtle changes that accompany seasonal transitions. Longer days and the return of certain plant and animal species are providing much-needed joy and optimism to get through the remaining days of winter.

Catherine in Freehold, NJ: "Getting lighter earlier." (01/20/2021)

Margaret in Hendersonville, NC: "Wood frogs were calling from neighbor's pond all afternoon. It was warm with high temperatures around 70F." (01/26/2021)

Cayla in Gainesville, FL: "Leaves budding on many tree species in North Florida." (01/30/2021)

Sandra in Mount Calvary, WI: "Very cold, windy day. First time ever seeing a Loggerhead Shrike. Came in to get some bird seed." (02/01/2021)

How to Participate

  • Report you day length for February 20, 2021.
  • Report seasonal signs of spring.

How to Report your Day Length (Photoperiod)

Step 1: Look up your sunrise/sunset on the 20th of every month.

Step 2: Calculate the length of time between sunrise and sunset. 

Step 3: Report your day length on the 20th of every month.

Step 4: Explore the Daylight map and compare your part of the world with other locations as the Earth revolves around the Sun.