On the first day of spring, a person at the North Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, beginning six months of uninterrupted daylight. A person at the South Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, signaling the start of six months of darkness.The first spring flowers are typically lilacs, irises, lilies, tulips, daffodils, and dandelions.
According to tradition, if a groundhog does not see his shadow after emerging from his burrow on Groundhog Day (February 2), spring will come early; if he sees his shadow, winter will last for 6 more weeks. The day has its roots in the Neolithic Celtic festival of Imbolc, which marks a seasonal turning point and also involved animal prognostication.
A National Academy of Sciences study found that babies conceived in the spring are more likely to be premature. Scientists hypothesize that their mothers were nearing full term in January and February when seasonal flu cases spike—and pregnant women who contract the flu in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters have a slightly increased risk of premature labor.