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Spring is around the corner! Here are a few dates for Long Islanders to look forward to

Tired of winter? Here are a few dates to look forward to if you're dreaming of warmer days.

Alex Calamia

Feb 12, 2025, 3:46 PM

Updated 3 hr ago

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February is often the snowiest month of the year on Long Island and this year is no exception. The days are getting longer and spring is around the corner. Here is a list of dates to keep in mind if you're dreaming of spring.
March 1 is Meteorological Spring
The winter weather season starts Dec. 1 and ends on Feb. 28. March through May is springtime as far as weather record keeping is concerned!
March 13 is the first 7 p.m. sunset of the year
Daylight saving time is on March 9, that's in in less than a month. When the clocks spring forward one hour, it'll be just a few days later before our sunset times are after 7 p.m. That’s almost 3 hours later than early winter!
Early April is Daffodil season!
Daffodils start blooming in mid-March and you should already see them popping up in warmer parts of the yard. They reach peak bloom in the first 2 weeks of April. Early blooming tulips start flowering around the same time, and later blooming varieties typically bloom at the end of April.
April 5 is the first weekend for parking fees at state parks
The weekend parking fee collection begins for the season at our state parks and beaches. We also typically see our first 70F day of the year around this time of the year.
April 16 - Freezing temperatures become rare
In the past 30 years, this is the latest freeze for JFK. For Islip, the latest freeze is May 1. I recommend waiting until the first week of May to plant that summer garden.
Early May is Rhododendron season!
I usually consider this and the dogwoods to be the finale to spring. They often bloom alongside our first 80F days of the year on Long Island.