Since we're officially in spring and we've (hopefully) see the back of the snow, we thought we would welcome in this new season by presenting 8 facts you (probably) didn't know about spring!

1. Vernal Equinox

The first day of spring, the vernal equinox, has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

2. Don't Blame Spring For Your Allergies

Since spring is usually considered the season in which flowers bloom, it is a common belief among most people that spring brings pollen allergies with it. This is not actually the case, as many studies have shown that trees and flowers start to release pollen as early as January.

3. It All Depends On Where You Are

Spring means drastically different things at the North and South Poles. In the North Pole, the spring season means six months of uninterrupted sunlight. However, in the South Pole, spring brings six months of constant darkness.

4. Anybody Feeling That Spring Fever?

Yes, 'Spring Fever' is a real thing. That feeling of excitement and restlessness that you get in spring is caused by a number of factors, such as a rise in temperature and longer days. This increases the amount of serotonin in your body, which leads to mood elevations and more energy.

5. It's Celebrated Across The World

In the West, spring is usually celebrated with Groundhog Day. However, in Japan, they celebrate the beginning of spring with an ancient festival called Hanami. In Japan, the arrival of spring is signalled by the blooming of sakura, Japan's national flower. When this occurs, they will celebrate Hanami by sitting beneath a sakura tree and having a picnic.

6. Something In The Air?

Your sense of smell can actually become more acute in the spring due to there being more moisture in the air.

7. It Starts At Different Times.

Depending on who you ask, spring can start at different times. For meteorologists spring starts on 1 March and runs until 31 May. While looking at the astronomical calendar, the first day of spring is 20 March.

8. Why Is It Called Spring?

Before Spring was called Spring, it was called Lent in Old English. Starting in the 14th century, that time of year was called “springing time” - a reference to plants “springing” from the ground. In the 15th century this got shortened to “spring-time,” and then further shortened in the 16th century to just “spring.”