PROVINCE OF UTRECHT – This afternoon at 4.33 pm it is officially time: then spring begins. The astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere begins when the sun is directly above the equator. And spring also means: storks on their familiar nest in Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen and motorcyclists on the dikes and back roads of the province.
“Today, day and night last the same length all over the world,” explains Diana Woei from Weerplaza in Houten. “After today, the sun will climb higher and higher in the sky and the days will become longer than the nights.”
If you’ve had a spring-like feeling for a while, don’t be mistaken, says weather woman Woei. March has been exceptionally sunny so far. “People who have solar panels are well catered for. I think March will go down in the record books, because next week is also sunny.”
Ingrid Corvers in conversation with Diana Woei in Nice Weekend on Radio M.
The storks are back
You can also use a less scientific explanation to determine when it really is spring: at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen they say that it is spring when the storks are back on their nests.
And in that regard, there is good news: the stork couple staying at the zoo has moved into the large stork nest at the elephant enclosure. ”It’s special”, the zoo writes on Facebook, ”because about 50 years ago this species had all but disappeared from the Netherlands.”
Motorcyclists on the dikes
The onset of spring also means the return of groups of motorcyclists on the roads. The motorized police urge fellow motorcycle enthusiasts to check their motorcycles carefully before getting on the bike for the first time.
Also keep in mind that other road users have to get used to small and agile road users. It helps if others can see you well and have time to respond to you. We do this ourselves by wearing conspicuous clothing, driving clearly in view and adjusting our speed at dangerous points (crossroads, exits, parked cars, etc.).
The only downside to all these spring jitters: just today the weather isn’t cooperating very well. According to Weerplaza, there is more cloud than the past few days and light rain or drizzle may fall. It will be 10 to 12 degrees at most this afternoon, but there is also good news: the real spring weather will return in the following days.