Having just experienced one of the most severe winter storms in decades, many Americans hope for an "early spring." While that may or may not seem to occur, relief is already evident in the cold, blue sky.
By late January, the lengthening period of sunlight is noticeable as a higher sun shines down on the snowy landscape. Most of us would agree that bright sunshine makes cold weather more tolerable and, whether we understand the astronomical cause or not, we welcome the longer days that characterized the original homeland of our species.
No doubt, there will be more winter weather ahead but the sun will "gain strength" as its rays fall more directly on the Northern Hemisphere. In the words of George Harrison, "Here Comes the Sun."
