40 Stunning Scenes From Spring's Glorious New York Debut

Spring has sprung! I'm obsessed with these gorgeous magnolias on Columbia University's classic-looking campus in Morningside Heights, which I spotted during an @instagram walk with @travelogged and other New York Travel Festival attendees this afternoon.

A photo posted by Katie MacLeod (@katiecleod) on Apr 19, 2015 at 9:59am PDT

It might be hard to recall—given the torrential downpour whipping through the city right now—but the mercury hit 80 degrees this weekend for the first time since September of last year. So obviously sun-starved New Yorkers fled outside in droves to enjoy it. And what's enjoying it without a carefully composed Instagram... or seven? The city is hosting a competition, encouraging everyone to post their favorite signals of the season with a special hashtag. Trolling through the hundreds of photos tagged #SignsofSpringNYC shows off the city's brightest flowers and prettiest natural scenes. Oh color, how we have missed you.

This is my springiest photo from a very springy weekend. #signsofspringnyc #spring #alphabetcity #eastvillage #fathersheartministeries #alphabetscoop #11thstreet #manhattan #newyorkcity #nyc #newyork #blossom #jesussaves @nycgov

A photo posted by James Campbell Taylor (@jamescampbelltaylor) on Apr 19, 2015 at 9:30pm PDT

#signsofspringNYC #livefromqueens

A photo posted by R$ (@rob_schwartz) on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:33am PDT

. @centralparknyc #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #landscape #cityscape #signsofspringnyc @nycgov

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 7:59pm PDT

Plaid flowers poppin' in #ParkSlope. #SignsOfSpringNYC

A photo posted by @jooltman on Apr 20, 2015 at 4:59am PDT

Into the light #nyc #centralpark

A photo posted by A l e x a n d r a (@alexandrabloom) on Apr 19, 2015 at 9:33pm PDT

. @empirestatebldg #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #landscape #cityscape #signsofspringnyc @nycgov

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 7:57pm PDT

It is finally spring in Middle Village, Queens!!! #queens #signsofspringnyc #springinqueens

A photo posted by Giulia Alicea (@giuliagal) on Apr 19, 2015 at 9:12am PDT

My favorite place for viewing cherry blossoms. #SignsOfSpringNYC #centralpark #cherryblossom #NYC

A photo posted by yumintanaka (@yumintanaka) on Apr 19, 2015 at 5:57pm PDT

. @highlinenyc #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #landscape #cityscape #signsofspringnyc @nycgov

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:00pm PDT

. @centralparknyc #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #landscape #cityscape #signsofspringnyc @nycgov

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT

Let your joy burst forth like flowers #SignsOfSpringNYC

A photo posted by RosaliEspinosa Quinto (@mitzgami) on Apr 19, 2015 at 7:27pm PDT

#clintoncommunitygarden #signsofspringnyc #nyc

A photo posted by The Luna Show (@lunalens) on Apr 19, 2015 at 6:09am PDT

Park Avenue. #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #landscape #cityscape #signsofspringnyc @nycgov

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT

white trees everywhere today in #newyorkcity #Spring #nyc #igofamericas #nyinstagram @instagram #kenabetancur #Blosom #SignsOfSpringNYC @Nycgov #MadisonAve

A photo posted by @kenabetancur on Apr 19, 2015 at 5:46pm PDT

#centralpark pretty much looks like a story book these days. #flowers #blossoms #trees #spring #nyc

A photo posted by Connie (@intrepia) on Apr 19, 2015 at 5:19pm PDT

Always a favorite. #latergram #nyc #newyorkcity #signsofspringnyc @nycgov @highlinenyc

A photo posted by Robert J. Caputo (@bobbycaputo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 5:37pm PDT

Tree blossoms at Latimer House #Flushing #Queens #SignsOfSpringNYC #signsofspringnycgov

A photo posted by Flushing Chamber of Commerce (@greaterflushing) on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:33am PDT

Home! #flowersinfrontofthings #SignsofSpringNYC

A photo posted by Nami Mody (@imanami13) on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:45pm PDT

Cleopatra's Needle is in full bloom today, surrounded by fragrant Magnolia blossoms.#SignsOfSpringNYC #centralpark #spring #flowers #nyc

A photo posted by Stan Schnier (@1nystan) on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:21pm PDT

Middle-of-the-block splendor. #SignsOfSpringNYC

A photo posted by @jooltman on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:20pm PDT

Can't stop with the blossoms today! It was a long winter. #blossoms #signsofspringnyc #fttryonpark #washingtonheights #NYC #nofilter #April

A photo posted by Danielle De Koker (@ddknyc) on Apr 19, 2015 at 3:45pm PDT

#SignsOfSpringNYC in Prospect Park @nycgov

A photo posted by @yevjenya on Apr 19, 2015 at 3:22pm PDT

#SignsOfSpringNYC

A photo posted by @pearlm01 on Apr 19, 2015 at 2:55pm PDT

Spring could not have come soon enough! #magnolia #nybg #nofilter #signsofspringnyc

A photo posted by @nuttage on Apr 19, 2015 at 2:54pm PDT

if these aren't #signsofspringnyc, don't know what are

A photo posted by Syed Ali (@syedagmalali) on Apr 19, 2015 at 2:09pm PDT

Enjoying the park #nyc

A photo posted by A l e x a n d r a (@alexandrabloom) on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:44pm PDT

Look up in #NYC! Flowers and fire escapes! #upperwestside #signsofspringnyc #NYTF

A photo posted by Lindsay Young (@lindsayyoungua) on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:29pm PDT

picture perfect day #centralparklake #nyc #centralpark #vscocam #spring #signsofspringnyc #mashpics_changingseasons

A photo posted by dani (@danibr) on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:11pm PDT

I guess it's really here to stay :) #spring #signsofspringnyc #lowereastside #newyorkcity #blossom #newyork #manhattan #springblossom

A photo posted by Reginald Veneziano (@reginald_nyc) on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:05pm PDT

What a lovely weekend #signsofspringnyc #nyc #spring #brooklyn #blossoms #sky #brownstone #fortgreene

A photo posted by Kate Addicott (@thekateyouknow) on Apr 19, 2015 at 12:26pm PDT

Been waiting for this moment since we moved! Our street's trees are in bloom and I just can't stop smiling. #spring2015 #parkslope #signsofspringnyc #brooklyn

A photo posted by Tali Blankfeld (@photobytali) on Apr 19, 2015 at 11:36am PDT

Pretty planters make a big difference #signsofspringnyc #nyc #spring #lion #library #bryantpark #flowers #newyork

A photo posted by Kate Addicott (@thekateyouknow) on Apr 19, 2015 at 12:20pm PDT

#ues #signsofspringnyc #thisisnewyorkcity #eastriver

A photo posted by Amy Hau (@amhauknits) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:15am PDT

Flowers at the old Quaker Meeting House #Flushing #Queens #SignsOfSpringNYC #signsofspringnycgov

A photo posted by Flushing Chamber of Commerce (@greaterflushing) on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:47am PDT

More #SIGNSOFSPRINGNYC #UES #daffodils #thisisnewyorkcity

A photo posted by Amy Hau (@amhauknits) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:07am PDT

Lovely, sunny spring day in Bryant Park, NYC. Colorful pastel flowers everywhere! #welcometonewyork

A photo posted by Katherine Larson (@katherine817) on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:56am PDT

The cherries are blooming.

A photo posted by Amber Roussel (@pureamber) on Apr 18, 2015 at 5:30pm PDT

"I just want to go through Central Park and watch folks passing by. Spend the whole day watching people. I miss that" - Barack Obama #SignsOfSpringNYC

A photo posted by AB (@shangoisland) on Apr 18, 2015 at 6:54pm PDT

Spring in the city. Nature never goes out of style. #nyc #brooklyn #fujifilm #spring #nature #cities #beauty #SignsofSpringNYC

A photo posted by Rez M. (@mohammer5) on Apr 18, 2015 at 4:02pm PDT

· #SignsofSpringNYC [Inconosquare]
· #SignsofSpringNYC [NYC.gov]