Still Life with Robin: Hurry Up, Spring!

 by Peggy Robin

By now you must have heard that chances are high that we'll get hit by the bigeast coast snowstorm that Capital Weather Gang says is coming --but they also say right now, it's hard to tell how much we'll get. Could be 1-4" (50%). Could be a bust at under an inch (25%). Or (gulp!) a boom at 4"-8" (25%). They'll be posting regular updates on Bluesky. To see their latest forecast map (if you can stand the suspense), go to  https://bsky.app/profile/capitalweather.bsky.social/post/3mff4reopn22m 

 

Whether it turns out to be a late February blizzard or a negligible dusting, or something in between, it's worth remembering that spring is just eight days away.

 

Are you confused? Doesn't spring start on the equinox? This year, that would be at 10:46 AM on Friday, March 20, 2026. Well, that's right -- but that one is called "Astronomical Spring." The far older, more traditional breakdown of the seasons, called the Meteorogogical Seasons, goes like this: 

 

Spring starts on March 1st

Summer comes in on June 1st

Auturm arrives on September 1st

Winter begins on December 1st. 

 

So simple! No partial months! And of course, you get the change of seasons three weeks ahead of that other, more awkward Astronomical Seasonal System (ASS).

 

The trouble with using equinoxes and solstices is that they move around a bit, varying by up to three days across the four-year leap year cycle. So the spring equinox could come as early as March 20 or as late March 23.

 

If you're interested in a more detailed explanation of the difference between Astronomical and Meteorolgical Seasons, go here: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/meteorological-versus-astronomical-seasons

 

Now let's back to what may befall us in the next day or two: If a shovel-worthy amount is dumped on us come Sunday/Monday, we must grit out teeth, get out the snow shovels once again, and keep dreaming of the coming of spring. 

 

I hope a few photos will help you make it through the next week:

 

Forsythia will spring forth! 

Daffodils and tulips will form a blanket of many colors!

Redbuds will be budding!

And of course there will be cherry blossoms!

Cherry trees in full bloom with National Cathedral in the distance
(photo credit: Thomas S. Mann)

p.s. Cherry blossoms are predicted to bloom later than usual this year. The official predictions aren't out yet but you can get email updates from the National Park Service's "Bloom Watch" by signing up at https://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/. The Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 will run from March 20 to April 12, so mark your calendars! 

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.