New England’s answer to Groundhog Day comes this afternoon when the Red Sox equipment truck leaves Fenway Park for the team’s spring training site in Fort Myers, Fla.

Its departure (scheduled for between 1:30 and 2 p.m.) is an annual sign of spring, an added measure of hope for many still digging out from what now seems to be the annual blizzard.

Red Sox pitchers and catchers will report to Fort Myers by Saturday (Feb. 18), and will have their first workout on Sunday. The full squad is due to arrive on Feb. 22. The first full-squad workout will take place Feb. 23.

The Red Sox open their spring schedule on Thursday, March 2.

Be sure to check out the Extra Bases blog throughout spring training, as Globe reporters Gordon Edes and Chris Snow will be filing updates from Fort Myers.