3 reasons to celebrate the sunshine as we spring forward this weekend - Action News
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3 reasons to celebrate the sunshine as we spring forward this weekend

Following a darker than normal winter season, the days are quickly getting longer as the sun climbs higher in sky.

Springing forward has become key checkpoint as we emerge from darkness of winter

We gain more daylight in March than any other month of the year.
We gain more daylight in March than any other month of the year. (Adam Cornick)

It's that time of year again.

Whether or not you're in favour of daylight saving time, springing forward has become a key checkpoint as we emerge from the darkness of winter and turn the corner into spring.

The sun, of course,is the driver of that journey. With a bright weekend on the way for the Maritimes, here are a few reasons why that sunshine is worth celebrating.

Sun has been MIA

As you might have noticed, this winter was even darker and cloudier than average across the Maritimes.

The price tag of a warmer-than-average winter was a ton of unsettled weather with clouds predominant.

This solar energy departure from normal map shows the Maritimes were cloudier than average for the months of December, January and February.
This solar energy departure-from-normal map shows the Maritimes were cloudier than average for December, January and February. (Brian Brettschneider)

March has also started very cloudy, so the sun will certainly be a welcomesight this weekend.

Days quickly getlonger

The month of March is a big one when it comes to the sun. We gain more daylight in March than any other month of the year. In fact, right now we are gaining more than three minutes of daylight per day.

Sunrise and sunset times for the Maritimes on Sunday. The region is gaining over 3 minutes of daylight per day right now.
These are the sunrise and sunset times for the Maritimes on Sunday. The region is gaining over three minutes of daylight per day right now. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

Our length of day increases from about 11 hours at the beginning of the month, to around 12 hours and 45 minutes by the end.

Sun angle is getting higher

As we move through the spring, the sun continues to get higher in the sky. That sun angle is key because as the sun gets higher, its impact increases on the surface of the earth.

With less atmosphere to travel through, the sun's rays are able to reach the ground with greater energy,warming our surface and bringing the plants back to life.

The sun angle is now 40 degrees above the horizon in the Maritimes.
The sun angle is now 40 degrees above the horizon in the Maritimes. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

By Sunday, the sun will be at 40 degrees above the horizon all across the Maritimes. In just a couple of weeks when we reach the equinox, we'll be halfway on our journey to our highest sun angle in June.

One more reason to celebrate the sun this weekend?

The clouds look set to roll back in next week with our next system on the way for Tuesday. A messy mix of snow and rain is looking set for the Maritimes.

Stay tuned for updates over the next few days.

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