Spring has begun

Winter made sure it wasn't forgotten with Saturday’s snow, but Sunday is the first official day spring, at least astronomically speaking. Meteorological spring begins on March 1st to allow for consistent record keeping since spring equinox is not always on the same day.

Spring started early this year (at 11:30 p.m. Saturday) due to the uneven number of days in the year. It's the earliest spring equinox since 1896.

The average date of the last freeze, 32 degrees, in the Omaha area is April 21st-30th, which is why we recommend waiting to do any planting until after Mother's Day. Don't say goodbye to the snow just yet, however. Omaha averages 4.2 inches of snow in March and 1 inch in April.

Although it won't feel much like spring weather on Sunday, we don't have to wait long to enjoy warmer weather. Come Monday and Tuesday, 60s and 70s will once again warm the area.

We are now about 92 days out from the beginning of summer, which starts June 21st.

It's not feeling like spring in the Northeast. The National Weather Service says parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island could get 5 to 10 inches of snow while northern Maine could receive 7-12 inches Sunday into Monday. Philadelphia and New York could see 1 to 3 inches.