Spring equinox is upon us

Spring officially starts on Sunday, but you may want to wait to pack up those winter coats.

As spring rolls in, the Northeast is bracing for winter weather to make a harsh comeback. The culprit for the ongoing wintry weather is a nor’easter brewing off the Atlantic coast.

The storm is expected to drop snow and temperatures in Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

It’s not unusual to see snow after the start of spring in this region. In 2015, New York and Philadelphia had about 4 inches of snow on the first day of spring

The spring equinox, also referred to as the vernal equinox, starts off at approximately 12:30 a.m. ET. The equinox occurs twice a year when the sun is directly above the equator. This means on Sunday the world will experience the same amount of daylight and darkness, about 12 hours. However, in the Southern Hemisphere will be going through the autumnal equinox.

The start of spring also means Easter is right around the corner (March 27). It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring.

Historically, spring and fall equinoxes have played roles in religious and cultural celebrations.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, flowers are beginning to bloom. Many social media users have started to share images of the first signs of spring.

Share your photos by tagging #CNNSpring for a chance to be featured.

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