#SpringIntoScience with NOAA

When it’s spring in the Northern Hemisphere, NOAA is here to celebrate! From articles to graphics to educational resources, S-P-R-I-N-G into science with us!

A graphic of a spring day with rain drops, a NOAA weather vane, rainbow, rain boots and an umbrella. Text: Spring into science.
Spring into science with NOAA! (Image credit: NOAA Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
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Changing seasons, changing science

Diagram of the ocean that shows upwelling, a plankton bloom, sea ice, humpback whale migration. Read the narrative at www.noaa.gov/education/infographic/what-happens-in-ocean-in-springtime.
What's happening in the ocean in springtime?

From whale migration to phytoplankton blooms, how can you tell if spring has sprung in the sea?

Two people sit at a desk and concentrate on at least six monitors that are displaying different types of weather patterns and data.
The Spring Experiment

The NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed fosters collaboration for researchers and NWS forecasters to test and evaluate emerging technologies and science.

A graphic of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Meteorological seasons: Winter starts on Dec. 1, spring on Mar. 1, summer on June 1, and fall on Sept. 1. Astronomical seasons: Winter begins on the winter solstice (Dec. 21) when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent away from the sun, spring begins on the spring equinox (Mar. 20), summer begins on the summer solstice (June 21), when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent toward the sun, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox (Sept.21).
Meteorological vs. astronomical spring

March 1 marks the start of meteorological spring, but astronomical spring doesn't start until March 19. What’s the difference between the two?

What does spring have in store?

Photo of a vast landscape in Montana (2022). Credit: Getty images.
Spring Outlook: Warmer for most of U.S., wetter in the Southeast

Forecasters at predict above-average temperatures for most of the Continental U.S. and Alaska. 

Five green and orange tree frogs hanging off of a piece of bamboo.
Hang on, what’s not normal about February 29?

Leap Day has arrived and the U.S. Climate Normals have something to say about it.

This curious groundhog isn't Punxsutawney Phil, but they sure are cute.
Keeping score: The groundhog vs. the temperature record, 2024

Everyone's favorite groundhog predicted an early spring. Will Phil be right?

A map of the contiguous United States and Alaska with colored areas indicating above, below, and equal chances for temperature compared to climate normals. In this outlook, the northern states have an above-normal probability (33-60%) of having higher temperatures in these months compared to the climate normals. Learn how to read the 3-class Three-Month Outlook maps here: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal_info.php.
Three-month outlooks: Official forecasts

Check out the seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks for the U.S. through March, April, and May.

Two children wearing baseball caps sit and pose on a sculpture of a whale’s tale outside in front of a building with a sign that reads “Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.” The child on the right is holding two stuffed animals. An adult wearing a baseball cap stands posing behind them.
My family’s NOAA-themed spring break in central California

During her children’s spring break, Nicole Fernandes and her family spent time exploring the diverse habitats along the central coast of California.

Two adults wearing jackets are flanked by their two children at the Klamath River Overlook. Behind them is the mouth of the river where it meets the Pacific Ocean. On either side of the river are two hills covered in shrubs and pine trees.
My family’s NOAA-themed spring break, Northern California edition

In this follow-up story, Nicole Fernandes details her family's adventure exploring NOAA’s mission along the north coast of California.

Severe weather and spring safety

Image showing a rip current using a harmless green dye
Spring into safety: Prepare for tornadoes, rip currents and more

Get ready for the change of seasons with safety tips, videos and infographics.

 
Infrared imagery via NOAA's GOES East (GOES-16) satellite shows a severe thunderstorm crossing several states in the U.S. Text: Earth From Orbit: Preparing for severe weather.
NOAA satellites help us prepare for severe weather

NOAA’s geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites monitor the changing weather patterns that come with the transition from winter to spring.

Image of girl with a shocked expression while reading a Wireless Emergency Alert on her mobile phone. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) can alert you when weather threatens! WEAs are sent by government authorities to your mobile phone and are reserved for potentially life-threatening situations. Keep WEAs enabled on your phone. It could save your life or the lives of others!
Spring weather safety

Are you #WeatherReady for Spring? Check out the latest weather safety graphics, videos, social media posts, and more from the National Weather Service.

An orange and black graphic in the shape of an eyeball with a tornado-like funnel where the iris and pupil would be.
Become a SKYWARN® storm spotter!

As a volunteer storm spotter, you can help keep your local community safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. Consider signing up today!
 

A stormy sky background with text overlaid: Know the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and warning. Watch: Be prepared, severe weather is possible. Check for forecast updates, monitor sky conditions, and know where to take shelter. Warning: Take action, severe weather is imminent. Take shelter immediately, seek further information, and check for forecast updates. Be Weather Ready.
Video: What’s a watch vs. a warning?

What's a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch, and how is it different from a warning?

Celebrate Earth Day

A doodled graphic of the Earth with the text “Every day is Earth Day” on it. The Earth is surrounded by drawings of nature including a desert, tropics, tundra, marine and deep sea environments, mountains, forests, rivers, and hills.
Earth Day

How is NOAA addressing climate change, extreme weather, pollution and more? And how can you make a difference? Explore our Earth Day portal to find out! 

A group of people are silhouetted by the sunset on a cliff overlooking a large body of water with two visible large islands not far in the distance.
Quiz: Find the right Earth Day activity for you!

Are you looking for a way to honor our planet this Earth Day, but not sure where to start? Take our Earth Day quiz to help spark some ideas that meet you where you are. 

A doodled graphic of the Earth with plastic trash forming the land masses. The Earth has the text “Planet vs. Plastics Earth Day 2024” on it.
Earth Day art to color, download, and share

Show your love for the planet with coloring pages, posters, and graphics for Earth Day.