Meteorological Spring Versus Astronomical Spring: Warm Air, Chilly Ocean For Florida Spring Break

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – March 1, 2026, is the first day of meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere. However, snow still falls in northern parts of the United States, causing college students to flock south to Florida for their Spring Break vacations.

Meteorological vs. Astronomical Spring

Meteorological and astronomical spring have different start dates and purposes. Meteorological spring is for weather statistics; astronomical spring is based on Earth’s orbit. March 1, 2026, starts meteorological spring for data tracking at NOAA, while the date of the equinox determines astronomical Spring per NASA.

• Meteorological Spring: Begins March 1 and ends May 31. It is used by weather agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to track temperature, precipitation, and other data in consistent three-month periods.
• Astronomical Spring: Starts with the vernal equinox, on March 20, 2026, when the sun is directly above the equator. The NASA Earth Observatory defines it by Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt, which increases sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere after the equinox.

Why Snow Falls in Spring

Snow on March 1, 2026, in states like Colorado, Minnesota, and New York isn’t unusual. Oceans are the reason. Water heats and cools more slowly than land. By March 1, oceans remain cold from winter, delaying warmer air temperatures by about six weeks, according to NOAA data. This lag allows snow in northern and higher-elevation areas, even as spring begins. In contrast, fall starts September 1, but warm ocean water from summer drives peak hurricane season for Florida and delays cooler weather until mid-October.

Florida Spring Break and Chilly Oceans

In Florida, March 1, 2026, is forecast to bring warmer air but cool ocean waters. Miami is expected to reach 79°F (26°C), Orlando 75°F (24°C), and Tallahassee 77°F (25°C).

But surfers still wear aptly-named Spring suits while anglers and boaters wear long-sleeved shirts to protect from the UV rays and chilly air coming off of the ocean’s surface. That’s because ocean temperatures lagged: the Atlantic near Miami was 74°F (23°C), and the Gulf near Clearwater was 62°F (17°C). NOAA ocean data shows winter currents keep waters cold into early spring, with full warming not expected until late April.