The First Day of Spring is Today!

The vernal equinox was at 7:02 Wednesday morning.

Yes, it's spring! The daytime temperatures are up, the forsythia has finished blooming and tulips are emerging. Soon will come the Plantapalooza at the State Botanical Garden, the Twilight Criterium and the opening of the Athens Farmers Market. But for now...what could be more spring-like in Athens than a chance of a snowstorm? According to the National Weather Service, here's what's coming: According to Matt Daniel's blog on Athens weather, there's no likelihood of any accumulation of snow in Athens, just in the North Georgia mountains. But I'm going to cover my newly planted flowers tonight and tomorrow any way.

• Photos (1)

Spring Blooms in Athens. Ga.

From blooms to baby birds, spring is a time of birth and renewal in Athens, Ga.

•  5 Comments
• Photos (11)

Good-bye to Winter, says Gus the Groundhog

The pawed prognosticator emerges briefly, then issues proclamation of spring.

  An early spring is coming our way. So sayeth Gus M. Morax, the groundhog who can predict the weather, the winner of the Superbowl---which I cannot share, sorry--and the winner of the upcoming Republican Presidential primary. Long after the sun had risen on Thursday in Punxsutawney and Stone Mountain, after Phil and the General had revealed their predictions, Gus ambled to the side of his straw-filled box, poked out his nose and glimpsed the crowd of mostly mothers and children who had gathered at Bear Hollow Zoo for Groundhog Day. He then disappeared inside, shoving out a proclamation for Athens Clarke County Commissioner Mike Hamby to read. In a voice swelling with pride, Hamby announced that spring is coming. And then 16 members of the…

• Photos (4)