FACT BRIEF

Is spring arriving earlier in parts of the Northern Hemisphere?

Sunday, April 11, 2021

By Jacob Alabab-Moser

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YES

Studies from recent years have confirmed that an effect of climate change is earlier appearances of spring in regions of North America, Europe and China. As a result of warmer temperatures, researchers have observed accelerations in natural springtime cycles, including events like leafing and blooming. One study also identified light pollution as a contributing cause of earlier leafing in trees.

Of 276 U.S. national parks examined by ecologists, 76% have been experiencing advancing springs, and 53% have been experiencing “extreme” early springs. Warmer temperatures have also led certain animal species to emerge from hibernation earlier.

Studies have also linked earlier “greening” of vegetation to other kinds of new climate phenomena like more frequent heat waves, dryer summer soils and modified rain patterns in Europe, as well as a decline in dust storms in northern China.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Science Advances Summer soil drying exacerbated by earlier spring greening of northern vegetation

Geophysical Research Letters Earlier green‐up and spring warming amplification over Europe

Climate Adaptation Platform Early spring climate change triggers can cause dry soils in summer

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Light pollution is associated with earlier tree budburst across the United Kingdom

Ecosphere Climate change is advancing spring onset across the US national park system

The Conversation Spring is arriving earlier across the US, and that’s not always good news

UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology Earlier spring ‘greening’ triggers changed rainfall patterns

Nature Earlier vegetation green-up has reduced spring dust storms

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