With the most recent bout of snow in Calgary, it’s hard to believe that spring is right around the corner. But if you’ve been paying attention, the birds are singing, baby buds are appearing on branches, and the chill has begun to fade from the air. But don’t take our word for it. According to Time and Date and The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first official day of spring is this month, which means later sunsets and longer days are on their way!
When is the first day of spring in 2025?
This year, the first day of spring in Calgary falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The astronomical definition of the seasons is based on equinoxes and solstices, and in the northern hemisphere, spring begins with the vernal equinox in March.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac states, “In 2025, the March equinox happens on March 20 at 5:01 a.m. EDT (3:01 a.m. MST). This falls on a Thursday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.”
This seasonal change is marked by the sun’s crossing of the “celestial equator.” It goes south to north, which is called “celestial” because it’s technically an imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator. Neat!
When does daylight saving time start?
Love it or hate it, daylight saving time is coming even sooner! According to Time and Date, the practice of setting the clocks one hour ahead of standard time dates back to 1908, when it was first used in Canada. The idea was to make use of more sunlight in the spring, summer, and fall evenings.
In Calgary, you’ll have to “spring forward” this weekend at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025. While your phone will likely do this automatically, you’ll have to remember to reset any clocks or appliances.
Here comes the sun
We know, we know, “springing forward” means everyone loses an hour of sleep. But on the bright side (pun intended), that also means later sunsets. So you won’t be as sleepy when dinnertime rolls around.
Beginning Sunday, March 9, 2025, the local sunset time in Calgary goes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:31 p.m.
On the first day of spring, the sunset will be even later at 7:50 p.m.
On the last day of the month, Calgary sunsets will be as late as 8:08 p.m. That’s almost two extra hours of daylight!
What is the Calgary weather forecast for March 2025?
Okay, so the calendar says spring. But will we really feel it in Calgary?
As noted by The Weather Network, we can expect to see a shift in weather patterns as we approach mid-March. “While all of Canada will continue to see changeable conditions, above-seasonal temperatures should dominate for a couple of weeks from the central Prairies to western and southern Quebec, including the Great Lakes region.”
From the looks of this image, Calgary can expect a pretty average month. Which is to say, a predictably unpredictable mix of chilly and warmer days.
Of course, fluctuating temperatures in March are often accompanied by stormy weather. “This year, we expect near-normal or above-normal precipitation totals for the month. The most active storm tracks are expected to stretch from the Great Lakes region to Atlantic Canada, as well as into B.C. from the northwest Pacific Ocean,” states The Weather Network.
So as far as Calgary goes, the nearby mountains might stay snowy for a little while longer. Which is good news for anyone who loves spring skiing.
Looking forward to warmer days ahead? Mark your calendars, and don’t forget to set your clocks an hour forward this weekend!
First day of spring 2025
When: Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 3:01 a.m. MST
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Alicia Lyons
Branded Content Writer
Alicia is a storyteller who chased the sun all the way to Calgary and decided to stay. When she’s not crafting killer content, she can be found stumbling along nature trails, curling under a fuzzy blanket with a good book, or finding any excuse to eat.
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