US Trends

how long till spring

Spring 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere starts on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m. EDT (which is 14:46 UTC).

Since today is February 10, 2026, that’s 38 days until the astronomical start of spring on March 20, 2026 (and only 19 days until meteorological spring on March 1, 2026).

Quick Scoop: How long till spring?

  • Astronomical spring 2026 (spring equinox):
    • Date: Friday, March 20, 2026.
* Time: 10:46 a.m. EDT / 14:46 UTC.

* From today (Feb 10, 2026): about 38 days to go.
  • Meteorological spring 2026 (used by weather services):
    • Runs March 1 to May 31 each year.
* From today: about 19 days until March 1, 2026.

So depending on which definition you care about, you’re roughly three weeks away from “weather spring,” and a bit over five weeks away from the official equinox spring.🌱

Two ways to think about “spring”

  • Astronomical spring
    • Based on Earth’s position around the Sun.
    • Starts at the spring equinox , when day and night are nearly equal length.
* In 2026, that moment is March 20 at 10:46 a.m. EDT.
  • Meteorological spring
    • Based on calendar months and average temperatures.
    • Defined as March, April, and May in the Northern Hemisphere.
* Always starts March 1, regardless of the exact equinox time.

A simple way to remember it:

If you think like an astronomer, spring starts March 20. If you think like a weather forecaster, spring starts March 1.

Mini FAQ and example

Q: Why does the date move a bit each year?
Because Earth’s orbit, leap years, and time zones mean the equinox doesn’t fall on exactly the same clock time annually, it usually lands between March 19–21.

Q: What if I’m not in the Northern Hemisphere?
In the Southern Hemisphere, that March equinox marks the start of autumn instead of spring.

Little story-style example:
Imagine you’re counting down to swapping heavy coats for lighter jackets: you mark March 1 on your calendar as your “personal start of spring” for planning walks and gardening, but you also circle March 20 as the moment the Sun officially tips you into longer, brighter days—two milestones, one season coming your way.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.