If it feels like today’s date is Jan. 56 and that winter is dragging on, this may come as bad news: winter is only about to reach its halfway point.
Saturday, Feb. 3, will mark the midpoint of winter, halfway between the winter solstice, which ushered in winter on Dec. 21, 2023, and the vernal equinox, which occurs on March 19 at 11:06 p.m. EDT in 2024.
Winter’s halfway mark can vary each year, but the date often falls around Groundhog Day, which is celebrated annually on Feb. 2.
Whether you’re anxiously awaiting longer days, the return of warmth and the renewal that spring offers, or relishing in wintertime activities, read on for some insights about how winter has shaped up from coast to coast, and a countdown to spring.
Highlights from winter 2024 so far
New York City saw an end to an epic and record-setting snow drought in January. The Big Apple went 701 days without an inch of snow falling on a calendar day, but that ended when Central Park picked up 1.3 inches of snow on Jan. 16. As of Jan. 31, Central Park has recorded 2.3 inches of snow this season, compared to its historical average of 13.8 inches of snow for this point in winter.
To the north, Boston is pacing well behind its historical average for winter. The city has picked up 9.2 inches of snow as of Jan. 31, compared to the average of 23.5 inches for the season to date.
Farther south, Philadelphia closed out January with slightly above-average temperatures and above-average rainfall for the month, according to the NWS. While The City of Brotherly Love hasn’t observed double-digit snowfall for more than eight years, a 715-day stretch without recording an inch or more of snow was snapped when 1.5 inches fell on Jan. 16. As of Jan. 31, Philadelphia International Airport has measured 8 inches of snow this winter, compared to an average of 10.5 inches of snow for the season to date.
The nation’s capital has measured more than its average seasonal snowfall of 6.5 inches through Jan. 31, with a total of 7.8 inches piling up in January. Washington, D.C., experienced its heaviest snowfall in two years during the middle of the month. The 1.8 inches of snow that accumulated on Jan. 15 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Aiport broke a snow drought of 728 days.
Ever since winter made an early appearance, with snow arriving before Halloween, Chicago has paced around average for snowfall this season. The Windy City has observed 20 inches of snow as of Jan. 31, compared to a historical average of 20.5 inches for the season to date.
On the West Coast, precipitation was slightly below average in San Francisco in December, but rainfall climbed above average in January. The first month of 2024 is ending with a major storm threatening flooding rainfall and strong winds in the region. It will be the first of two atmospheric rivers within a week to aim for the Pacific Coast, with moisture extending all the way back to Hawaii, officially making it a Pineapple Express.
Amid stormy weather, a significant ice event took aim at parts of the Pacific Northwest, turning streets and sidewalks into sheets of ice in Portland, Oregon, as harsh cold gripped interior areas and shattered numerous records in mid-January.
For those weary of winter, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Daylight is already increasing by more than two minutes per day for many locations.
☀️ Check out timeanddate for more specifics on your area.
What is the vernal equinox?
Astronomical spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 19. On the vernal equinox, the Earth’s axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun, and there is about the same amount of sunlight and darkness everywhere on the planet. The sun crosses the equator and is directly overhead at noon on the equinox. Daylight and nighttime are approximately equal in length due to the bending of the sun’s rays, making the sun appear above the horizon when it is not, according to the NWS.
Vernal means “new” or “fresh,” the Farmer’s Almanac explains, and the word equinox is derived from Latin, meaning equal night.
🔍 Did you know? Meteorologists track seasons a bit differently. Meteorological spring begins on March 1 and lasts through May 31. This allows for consistency when comparing the weather from one season to another.
As spring arrives, daylight becomes longer in higher latitudes or places farther away from the equator, the NWS explains.
In New York City, the sun will rise at 7:00 a.m. EDT and set at 7:07 p.m. EDT on March 19. In Miami, the sun will rise at 7:25 a.m. EDT and set at 7:31 p.m. EDT on March 19, according to timeanddate. In comparison, sunset happens at 5:11 p.m. EST on Jan. 31 in New York City and 6:03 p.m. EST on Jan. 31 in Miami.
🌎 Interesting Fact: Earth is actually closest to the sun during wintertime (early in January), but it’s the Earth’s tilt away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere that matters most and influences the season. When the sun is at its closest point to Earth, it’s called perihelion. This year, perihelion occurred on Jan. 2.
Countdown to spring
Of all the seasons, winter is the shortest, lasting about 89 days, but how long it feels may depend on the person you ask. Without further ado, here’s a countdown to the beginning of astronomical spring:
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Spring 2024
Meghan Mussoline 