Temperatures chillier than normal as spring arrives

WASHINGTON – It may not feel like it, but spring officially arrived at 7:02 a.m. Wednesday.

Highs will be between 49 and 54 Wednesday.

Compare that to a year ago when it was 72 degrees.

The normal high for March 20 is 57 and the low is 39.

“A disturbance will approach late tonight and could squeeze out a little moisture across the region tonight into tomorrow morning. At this point some light snow showers are possible, with a frosting possible on grassy surfaces,” says ABC7 meteorologist Brian van de Graaff.

The forecast calls for Thursday to be cooler than normal, with highs only in the low- to mid-40s and maybe some flurries. Friday will be near 50, and Saturday in the upper 40s.

With the arrival vernal equinox, the first day of astronomical spring, the days will begin to get warmer with more daylight, according to ABC7’s Weather Blog.

But the colder weather has pushed back the peak bloom for the cherry blossoms to April 3 to April 6, the National Park Service says.

While the D.C. region is seeing cooler than normal temperatures, New England will welcome spring with more snow.

Forecasters predict as much as 16 inches of heavy, wet snow in parts of northern New England through Wednesday morning.

The chillier temperatures might not have you smiling, but worldwide, others are. March 20 marks the world’s first International Happiness Day, according to The Huffington Post.

On that note, smile and enjoy the start of spring.

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