You may be bundled up right now, but spring is just around the corner.
The transition period between winter and summer is coming up, and that means warmer, longer days withblooms(and rain) are on the way. Whether you listen togroundhogsor theastronomical calendar, there is a definitive day when spring officially starts. So it's time to kick off your countdown and make plans for sunnier times ahead.
Here's when spring 2026 begins and what to look for as much of the country thaws.
When will it finally be spring?
The astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by thespring equinox, which lands on March 20, according to theFarmer's Almanac.
The spring equinox occurs when the sun shines directly on the Earth's equator. At this time, the Northern Hemisphere is not tilting toward or away from the Sun, giving us nearly equal amounts of day and night, according to the Smithsonian's Science Education Center.
And some may prefer to put their faith in another spring indicator: A groundhog. Punxsutawney Phildid see his shadowon Feb. 2, which means, according to the legend, six more weeks of winter are on the way. That would place the beginning of spring on March 16, a slightly more optimistic start date just before the spring equinox.
And with the start of spring, more opportunities to get outside are on the way.Daylight saving time will begin on March 8,at 2 a.m. local time. Clocks will "spring forward" an hour to 3 a.m., and sunrise and sunset will be about one hour later on March 8 than the day before, meaning there will be more light in the evening and less light in the morning. You can count on longer days until next November.
What's the spring forecast for 2026?
It won't be sunny days right away for all Americans. Some areas may see warmer temperatures earlier than usual while others endure an extended frigid season, according toAccuWeather. The Northeast, Midwest and the northern Plains will likely see more cold weather before a snap into springtime. But the South could be set for a strong warming as the weeks preceding summer commence,AccuWeather reported.
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This in-between zone in weather can risk dangerous patterns, too: Drought in the South could breed wildfire, according toAccuWeather, while melting and spring rain in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys may lead to flooding.
For spring breakers, it's time to pack the bathing suit: TheNational Weather Serviceforecasts high temperatures statewide in Florida from February through April.
The season brings some Insta-worthy nature, too: A wildflowersuperbloomis expectedin California likely in late February and early April. Iconic, puffy-pink cherry blossom trees are also forecast topeak late Marchin Washington, DC, marking an annual celebration for many Americans in the nation's capital.
How to kick off your spring 2026
From trips to warm destinations to home organization, many Americans highlight spring by taking time to refresh and rejuvenate. The season is marked by manyreligious holidays, as well as graduations and the launch of many outdoormusic festivals.
Some may mark spring by the sports they see this time of year. The MLBseason heats upwith its Opening Night on March 25 whileNHL hockeyheads toward crowning its champion in the Stanley Cup final series. TheWNBAbegins its regular season in May and theNBAheads toward its championship in June. Or perhaps your real start of spring is the tip-off ofMarch Madness.
Maybe it's time forspring cleaningor you want toscore a dealto an all-inclusive resort. No matter what spring brings you, it's a time to look forward (and defrost!) until summer begins in June.
Contributing: Julia Gomez, Doyle Rice,Saman Shafiq
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:When does spring 2026 start? See equinox date, what to know