Spring starts in Earth's northern hemisphere

Spring starts in Earth's northern hemisphere

BELGRADE -- The spring equinox, the official start of the spring season in the northern hemisphere, this year falls on March 20.

At the same time, fall is beginning in Earth's southern hemisphere.

The event marks the moment when Earth - which has an axial tilt of 23.5 degrees - is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun, as it travels along its 365-day orbit around the star.

The spring equinox will happen at 16:57 UT on Thursday and for our hemisphere marks the beginning of the tilt back toward the Sun, which is today located directly on the equator.

The length of day and night is nearly equal all over the world.

Serbia's time zone is Central European Time (CET), and daylight saving time will begin on March 30, when clocks are to be set one hour ahead.