Spring 2026 in the United States: when spring begins exactly

Winter in the United States is coming to an end, leaving behind the gray days and the longest nights of the year. Next Friday, March 20th, spring will officially begin in the United States, bringing a natural transformation marked by increased daylight hours, gradual temperature rises, and blooming vegetation.

Although it may seem that spring starts on the same date every year, the reality is more complex. The March equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, can fall between the 19th and 21st depending on the specific year and calendar adjustments, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. This means the exact date varies from year to year.

The exact moment of the spring equinox

In 2026, the equinox will occur on Friday, March 20th at 10:46 a.m. (Eastern Time), the precise moment spring begins in the United States. This astronomical event marks when the Sun crosses directly over the Earth’s equator, creating a special balance on the planet.

During this March equinox, day and night are nearly equal in length across the United States. This balance occurs because the Earth’s rotational axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun at that specific moment. As a result, sunlight is distributed more evenly between both hemispheres, leading to longer, brighter days.

From that point on, daylight hours will begin to increase gradually, a trend that will continue until the June solstice, when summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere. This gradual increase in solar radiation also directly influences rising temperatures and the natural cycles of flora and fauna.

The duration of spring in the United States

Spring 2026 will last approximately 92 days and a few hours. It will start on Friday, March 20th, and end between Saturday, June 20th, and Sunday, June 21st, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. During this period, many regions will experience a gradual increase in temperatures, although weather conditions will vary significantly depending on the area.

While some states will have mild weather from the early weeks, others may still experience late cold fronts that extend winter-like conditions. This variability is characteristic of the transition between seasons.

Astronomical spring versus meteorological spring

There are two main ways to classify the seasons, as explained by Los Angeles Times. The first is astronomical spring, which is based on Earth’s position in its orbit around the Sun and occurs between March 19, 20, or 21 and June 20 or 21. The second is meteorological spring, which follows the Gregorian calendar and actual climate patterns, starting on March 1 and ending on May 31.

The fundamental difference is that astronomical spring depends on precise cosmic events, while meteorological spring aligns with observable climate cycles and the civil calendar. Both are valid and useful for different purposes: astronomical for scientific accuracy, meteorological for climate and weather data.

Groundhog Day tradition and its prediction for 2026

Another traditional indicator of winter’s end in the United States is Groundhog Day, celebrated every year on February 2nd. In 2026, Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil fulfilled the tradition and made his forecast. After emerging from his burrow, the small rodent saw his shadow on the ground, confirming that winter would last approximately six more weeks. This suggests that noticeable signs of spring will appear around March 16th, just four days before the official astronomical equinox.