Balancing an Egg on the Equinox?
Rumor has it that it's possible to balance an egg on the day of the spring equinox, but this myth simply isn't true.
However, it is true that spring is on its way.
This year the spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, officially started on Saturday, March 20 at 1:32 p.m. EDT.
The legend of standing a raw egg on its end on the first day of spring can be attributed to the Chinese.
They believed that due to the sun's equidistant position between the poles of the Earth at the time of the equinox, special gravitational forces apply.
While you may be able to balance an egg with patience on the day of the spring equinox, this can also be done on every other day of the year with the same results.
Winter ends and spring begins when the sun is directly overhead on the equator.
Day and night are of approximately equal length at 12 hours each on the day of the vernal equinox.
The apparent south-north migration of the sun's direct rays occurs because the tilt of the Earth's axis and the movement of the Earth around the sun.
More Weather News
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Winter Storm Blasts Atlantic Canada
Feb 12, 2012; 4:25 PM ET
In Charlottetown, P.E.I., the storm unloaded 42 cm (17 inches) of snow, 32 cm of it within six hours.
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Child Rescued from Avalanche in Kosovo
Feb 12, 2012; 4:17 PM ET
The child is reported to be recovering at a hospital in the nearby town of Prizren.
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Giovanna Winds Up, Sets Aim on Madagascar
Feb 12, 2012; 4:11 PM ET
For Madagascar, there can be no escaping the imminent threat of a large Tropical Cyclone.
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Deep Alaskan Freeze Gives Way to Mild February
Feb 12, 2012; 4:04 PM ET
Winter has been nothing less than a roller-coaster ride for residents of Alaska.
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Time-Lapse Video of Snowfall on a Connecticut Golf Course
Feb 12, 2012; 4:00 PM ET
Golfers miss the snowfall on Feb. 11, 2012, that coated the ground of the Oak Hills Golf Course in Norwalk, Conn.
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Amazing International Snowfall Pictures and Videos
Feb 12, 2012; 3:50 PM ET
AccuWeather Facebook fans share their pictures and video of the snowfall from Bosnia, England and Italy.
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No Explanation for Pennsylvania's Purple Squirrel
Feb 12, 2012; 3:46 PM ET
The third purple squirrel ever found was released back into the forest on Tuesday.
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Cozy Up to Your Valentine as Arctic Air Plunges into the US
Feb 12, 2012; 1:15 PM ET
We have an exclusive snuggle index for Valentine's Day weekend as arctic air plunges across the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
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High Hopes for First Dutch Skating Marathon in 15 Years
Feb 12, 2012; 9:46 AM ET
"If they don't do it this year, who knows when it could happen again."
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Inside Slider to Bring Rain, Mountain Snow to California
Feb 12, 2012; 7:11 AM ET
A storm system called an "inside slider" will deliver some more rain and snow to the Northwest and California early this week.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 82° | Gila Bend, AZ |
| Low | -13° | Clayton Lake, ME |
| Precip | 1.24" | Spanish Fork, UT |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
This Day In Weather History
Gulf Coast 1 (899)
ry cold morning along Gulf Coast; New Orleans 6.8 deg.; Mobile -1 deg.; Pensacola 7 deg.; Tallahassee -2 deg (All time record for Florida. Brownsville 12 deg. (all time low).
North Dakota 1 (936)
this date the mercury plummeted to -60 deg. at Parshall, ND - the coldest temperature ever for the State of ND. Later the same year, the mercury soared to 121 deg. at Steele, ND - the hottest temperature ever for the state of ND.
Rough Weather
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