How many days until spring?
There are 165 days until first day of spring 2027, which falls on Saturday, March 20, 2027. That is 23 weeks and 4 days, or 111 business days.
First day of spring: dates for the next 10 years
| Year | Date | Exact time (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Saturday, March 20, 2027 | 4:25 PM EDT |
| 2028 | Sunday, March 19, 2028 | 10:17 PM EDT |
| 2029 | Tuesday, March 20, 2029 | 4:02 AM EDT |
| 2030 | Wednesday, March 20, 2030 | 9:52 AM EDT |
| 2031 | Thursday, March 20, 2031 | 3:41 PM EDT |
| 2032 | Friday, March 19, 2032 | 9:22 PM EDT |
| 2033 | Sunday, March 20, 2033 | 3:22 AM EDT |
| 2034 | Monday, March 20, 2034 | 9:17 AM EDT |
| 2035 | Tuesday, March 20, 2035 | 3:02 PM EDT |
| 2036 | Wednesday, March 19, 2036 | 9:03 PM EDT |
Related dates
| Start of daylight saving time | Sunday, March 14, 2027 | 159 days away |
|---|---|---|
| Easter | Sunday, March 28, 2027 | 173 days away |
| First day of summer | Monday, June 21, 2027 | 258 days away |
Astronomical vs. meteorological spring
This countdown uses astronomical spring, which starts at the March equinox, when the Sun crosses the equator heading north. In the US that falls on March 19, 20 or 21, depending on the year and your time zone. Dates here use US Eastern Time, based on equinox times from the US Naval Observatory.
Meteorologists use a simpler rule: meteorological spring runs from March 1 to May 31. It lines up with monthly weather statistics, which is why weather reports may talk about spring before the equinox.
What changes around the equinox
- Day and night are close to 12 hours each. After the equinox, days in the Northern Hemisphere are longer than nights until the September equinox.
- Daylight saving time starts a week or more earlier, on the second Sunday of March, Sunday, March 14, 2027, when clocks spring forward one hour.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the start of autumn instead.
Deadlines and rules mentioned here are summaries for general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. See our methodology and official sources, and confirm important dates with the relevant agency.
Frequently asked questions
When does spring start?
Astronomical spring starts at the March equinox, on March 19, 20 or 21 in the US. Meteorological spring starts on March 1.
Why is the first day of spring not always March 21?
The equinox time shifts by about six hours each year and resets with leap years. Recently it has fallen on March 20 in most US time zones, and occasionally on March 19.
Are day and night exactly equal on the equinox?
Almost, but not quite. Because of the way sunrise is measured and the atmosphere bending light, day is slightly longer than night on the equinox itself.
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