What is the first day of spring?
The first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox, marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward, resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness worldwide.
How is the spring equinox calculated?
Unlike fixed holidays, the vernal equinox date varies slightly each year based on Earth's orbit around the sun. This calculator uses an astronomical algorithm to determine the date:
Day of March≈20.4426+0.242194×(Y−2000)−⌊4Y−2000⌋
This formula is accurate to within one day for years 2000-2100.
When does spring begin?
The vernal equinox typically falls on March 19, 20, or 21:
| Year | Spring equinox |
|---|
| 2024 | March 19 |
| 2025 | March 20 |
| 2026 | March 20 |
| 2027 | March 20 |
| 2028 | March 19 |
| 2029 | March 20 |
| 2030 | March 20 |
What happens during the vernal equinox?
During the spring equinox:
- Day and night are approximately equal length (about 12 hours each)
- The sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west
- In the Northern Hemisphere, days begin getting longer
- In the Southern Hemisphere, autumn begins
Spring traditions worldwide
- Nowruz: Persian New Year celebrated on the spring equinox
- Holi: Hindu festival of colors in India
- Easter: Often falls near the spring equinox
- Cherry blossom festivals: Celebrated in Japan and Washington D.C.
Planning for spring
Use your countdown to prepare for the season:
- Start spring cleaning projects
- Plan garden planting schedules
- Schedule outdoor activities
- Prepare for spring allergies
- Update your wardrobe for warmer weather