SASKATCHEWAN — Spring has officially arrived, but across Saskatchewan, winter is still holding on.
The vernal equinox, marking the start of astronomical spring, occurred at 8:46 a.m. CST Friday, according to the National Research Council of Canada.
The equinox happens when the sun crosses directly over the equator, bringing nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness and signalling the seasonal shift in the Northern Hemisphere.
While the calendar has turned, the weather tells a different story.
Environment Canada forecasts for March 20 show temperatures hovering around the freezing mark across Saskatchewan, with a mix of cloud cover and a chance of light snow in some areas.
In the days ahead, temperatures are expected to remain below seasonal norms, with highs near freezing early before a return to well-below-zero conditions across much of the province.
Still, the equinox marks an important turning point.
Daylight hours will continue to increase, the sun will climb higher in the sky, and warmer conditions are expected to gradually follow in the weeks ahead.
In Saskatchewan, spring often arrives in stages — first officially, then slowly in the air. Even if it doesn’t feel like it just yet, the season has begun.
