Spring astronomically begins on the vernal equinox (when the tilt of the Earth's axis is oriented neither from nor to the Sun causing the Sun to be located vertically above a point on the equator) and ends on the summer solstice (when the tilt of the Earth's axis is closest to the Sun). The vernal equinox occurs on March 20 or March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and between September 21 adn September 24 in the Southern Hemisphere. The summer solstice ending spring occurs between June 20 and June 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and between December 20 and December 23 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Meteorological spring is the season when winter transitions into summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, meteorological spring covers the entire months of March, April and May. In the Southern Hemisphere, meteorological autumn covers the entire months of September, October and November.

In the spring, the axis of the Earth begins to tilt back toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases. Winter ends and the hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name.

Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. Hibernation ends and life begins anew.