51�Թ�

The odds also tend to increase around equinoxes — the vernal equinox occurred last week — due to a more favorable tilt in the Earth’s axis, Murtagh said.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox will officially take place this Tuesday, March 19, at 11:06 p.m.

Pretty much aligned with the vernal equinox, give or take a few days, St. Patrick’s Day lands just right on the calendar for a celebration.

More specifically, March 19, the spring, or vernal, equinox — also known as the first day of spring.

The Central Valley historically had about 4 million acres of wetlands and riparian areas, forming a vast watery mosaic of marshes, vernal pools, rivers in braided channels and lakes fringed with tules and forests.