when will winter be over

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, where most people asking this question live, officially wraps up around late March. Astronomically, it ends with the March equinox, typically March 19–21, marking the shift to spring.

Astronomical Winter

This definition ties to Earth's tilt and orbit.

• Starts at the December solstice (December 21, 2025, this past season).

• Ends at the March equinox, around March 20, 2026 , for about 89 days total.

• Days start lengthening noticeably after the solstice, but cold lingers due to seasonal lag.

Picture the solstice as the sun hitting its lowest point—like the ball dropping at New Year's, signaling the turnaround toward warmer times.

Meteorological Winter

Weather experts use a calendar-based cutoff for consistent data tracking.

• Runs December 1 through February 28 (or 29 in leap years).

• Already ended two weeks ago on February 28, 2026.

• Focuses on peak cold months, ignoring slight orbital quirks.

Regional Variations

Winter's "end" feels different everywhere—here's a quick comparison:

Region| Typical End Date| Why It Varies 3
---|---|---
USA/North America| Late March–early April| Snowmelt, last frosts
Europe| March–April| Ocean influences mild it
Thermological| Late February–early March| Purely coldest temps

In places like the Midwest US, you might still bundle up into April, while coastal spots thaw sooner.

Current Context (Feb 2026)

As of today, February 12, we're 5–6 weeks from astronomical spring. Meteorological winter's done, but don't stow the coats yet—lingering cold snaps are common. Trending chatter online echoes this: folks are eyeing early blooms and cabin fever relief soon.

"Winter has just begun and it appears that it will be a snowy winter!" – Recent forum buzz, but flip side: spring teases ahead.

TL;DR: Meteorological winter ended Feb 28; astronomical ~March 20. Warmer days incoming! Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.