Canada experiences longer days before spring equinox

As the spring equinox approaches, many assume that day and night are perfectly equal on this day. However, there's a key difference between the equinox and something called the equilux. The equilux is when day and night are the same length. This happens a few days before the equinox in spring and after it in fall. This year, the equinox is on March 20. It is the moment when the sun is directly above the equator, lighting both the northern and southern hemispheres equally. The difference between the equinox and equilux is influenced by how light bends through the Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon known as refraction. In Canada, the effects of this bending are more noticeable in places further north, such as Yukon and Iqaluit. Weather conditions also play a role. Higher pressure and colder temperatures can enhance light bending, leading to longer days by several minutes. In Southern Canada, the equilux occurred around March 17, while in the North, it was on March 18. By the time of the equinox, cities like Toronto will enjoy about 12 hours and 10 minutes of daylight. Around this time, Southern Canada gains about three minutes of daylight each day, with Northern places like Yellowknife gaining even more. This increase in daylight is a welcome change after long winter nights. Moreover, longer days are expected to bring a rise in temperatures. Some areas in southern Ontario and Quebec are already experiencing warmer weather. However, British Columbia is still feeling the chill. In summary, understanding the difference between the equinox and equilux gives insight into our changing daylight hours. Thanks to atmospheric effects, Canadians enjoy an extra boost of sunlight as we move into spring.