The first day of spring brought a mix of flowers and snowflakes to New York City this year.

After the Big Apple’s second warmest winter in history and a recent stretch of record warm days, many trees and flowers have already started to bloom – early by local standards. But, for the official start of the spring season, temperatures fell and snowflakes filled the sky. While only a trace of accumulation was measured in Central Park, the frosty conditions were a jarring reminder to many New Yorkers, who had acclimated to the warm temperatures, that March is a transitional month known for changeable weather in the northeast.

The high temperature on the Equinox was 43°F, which is 8°F below average and about 20°F below readings from just a few days ago. It is also interesting to note that the first day of spring was colder than this past Christmas. But, that tells you what type of winter it has been this year.

Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to rebound to above average levels over the next few days.

Christmas was warmer than the first day spring in NYC. Credit: WG

Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park is dusted with  snow on the morning of the first full day of spring.  Image Credit: Central Park Conservancy.