When is Spring Day in South Africa, September 1 or 22?


Spring Day commences on September 1. It is not a mistake, but based on the weather cycle or meteorologically. September 22 or 23 is also right based on the astronomical movement of Earth. There are two moments when the sun comes above the equator and the day is of equal length, called the Vernal Equinox and the start of the Spring season. In the Southern Hemisphere, this falls on September 22 or 23.


Spring day in South Africa


September 1

September 1 was celebrated as the spring day in South Africa.  I remember the school days of our daughters when spring day was celebrated on September 1.  They called it the Civvies Day.  It was a fun day of enjoyment.  Learners wore casual dresses and escaped from the school's formal uniforms during the festivities.  And they were looking forward to that day.  The enthusiasm and energy came from appearing in their best colourful attires and stylish hairdos and holding flowers in their hands or bodies.  

The festivities of the day still continue in the schools here.  At workspaces,  the day is organised, calling the staff to come dressed up for the special in-house celebrations.   This is the case with the general public.  None can escape the cheer and the shine of the sun's golden glow after a cold spell.  

The dawn of the day marked the end to the monotonous, chilly, and sometimes freezing temperatures South Africans get engrossed with, the level of which varies as per the regions they live in.  The weather circles here have different patterns in different geographical parts.

While our children were in school, we lived in Grahamstown, now Makhanda.  Known as the city of Saints, it is a centre of education with the prestigious Rhodes University and several educational institutions, including high and primary schools.  In my experience, Grahamstown was chillier than Capetown, where we live now.  Capetown has a Mediterranean-style climate: wet and cool winters and dry and warm summers.

Septer 1 or 22?

Is September 1 the actual start of the spring climate in South Africa?  This is a question now in the air.  It needs to be more technically correct; the weather experts concur.   According to Gauteng weather forecaster, September 1 is not technically the start of the spring in South Africa.  According to this, the spring commences on September 22. 

How does it differentiate the two?

The difference between the two is depending on the accepted premises.  

Meteorological 

September 1 is correct meteorologically, the Weather Experts explain.  Meteorologically, it is based on the temperature cycle.  Astronomically, the spring climate starts on 22 or 23 of September.  This is based on Earth's astronomical position. 

Astronomical and the Vernal Equinox

There are two moments when the sun comes above the equator, and the day and night are of equal length.  This is called the Vernal Equinox.  In the southern hemisphere, it happens on September 22 or 23 and also marks the beginning of the Spring season, ending on December 21 or 22, the beginning of summer.  This is the astronomical explanation for the Spring season in the South. 

According to the above, Spring Day commences on September 1. It is not a mistake based on the weather cycle or meteorologically.  September 22 or 23 is also right based on the astronomical movement of Earth.  There are two moments when the sun comes above the equator and the day is of equal length, called the Vernal Equinox and the start of the Spring season.  In the Southern Hemisphere, this falls on September 22 or 23.   

Some of the Spring Day activities in South Africa.

  •  Organising flower festivals
  • Outdoor activities
  • Braais (Barbecues)
  • Planting and gardening
  • Community events
  • Cultural celebrations.

  

This is the 5/10 post in Blog Chatter Half Marathon.

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