🌸 First Day of Spring Countdown
March 20, 2027
About the First Day of Spring
The first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox, occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. Day and night are approximately equal in length. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox marks the astronomical beginning of spring and typically falls on March 19, 20, or 21. In 2026, the spring equinox occurs on March 20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the vernal equinox?
The vernal (spring) equinox is the precise astronomical moment when the sun crosses the Earth's celestial equator, moving from south to north. Day and night are approximately equal in duration — about 12 hours each. It marks the beginning of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The exact moment varies by year and time zone.
Why does the first day of spring change each year?
The Earth's orbital period around the sun is approximately 365.25 days, not exactly 365. Leap years compensate for the extra quarter-day, but the equinox still shifts slightly each year. As a result, the spring equinox can fall on March 19, 20, or 21 depending on the year, with March 20 being the most common date in recent decades.
Can you really balance an egg on end on the equinox?
This is a popular myth. The idea that eggs can be balanced vertically only on the equinox (due to some gravitational alignment) has no scientific basis. With patience, you can balance an egg on a level surface on any day of the year. The myth seems to have originated in a 1945 Life magazine article and gained traction through repetition.
What is meteorological spring vs. astronomical spring?
Meteorological spring runs March 1 through May 31 — a fixed three-month period that meteorologists and climatologists use for consistency in temperature statistics and weather comparisons. Astronomical spring begins at the vernal equinox (around March 20) and ends at the summer solstice (around June 21). The meteorological definition starts about three weeks earlier.