Spring is one of the most anticipated periods of the year, as we transition from months of darkness and chill into a season that feels brighter, lighter and brimming with renewal.

When spring actually begins, though, depends on which calendar you follow, although there is one most experts favour.

Depending on whether you consult the meteorological calendar or the astronomical one, the start of spring can occur on different dates.

Both approaches are widely adopted, though the Met Office employs the former, stating that “meteorological seasons offer a simple and consistent way of dividing the year”.

In the UK, meteorological spring always begins on March 1 and ends on May 31.

The Met Office adds: “Under this system, spring acts as a bridge from the cooler, unsettled weather of winter to the warmer, more stable conditions that summer can bring.

“While day‐to‐day weather may vary, meteorological spring allows climate specialists to track broader patterns across the seasons.”

The first day of astronomical spring, however, can fluctuate as this is determined by the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun.

It starts on the vernal equinox, which this year falls on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere.

On this day, day and night are roughly equal in length, marking a turning point in the year when daylight hours begin to increase more rapidly.

The Met Office said: “One of the clearest signs [of Spring] is the gradual increase in daylight. After the vernal equinox, the balance tips in favour of longer days, with earlier sunrises and later sunsets.

“This increase in daylight plays a major role in shaping plant and animal behaviour and often boosts people’s sense of energy and wellbeing.”