Days Until Spring

Spring officially begins at the vernal (spring) equinox — one of two days each year when day and night are approximately equal in length, at roughly 12 hours each. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox falls around March 19–21 each year. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are reversed, making this the autumnal equinox. The word 'equinox' comes from Latin: 'aequus' (equal) and 'nox' (night). At the exact moment of the equinox, the sun passes directly over Earth's equator, moving northward. After the spring equinox, the Northern Hemisphere receives more daylight than darkness each day, and temperatures gradually rise as the land absorbs increasing solar radiation. The rate of daylight gain is fastest around the equinoxes — adding several minutes of daylight each day in mid-latitudes. Spring has inspired celebration and ritual across virtually every culture in human history, symbolizing renewal, rebirth, and the return of life after winter. Ancient celebrations of spring include the Persian New Year (Nowruz) held exactly at the spring equinox — a 3,000-year-old tradition still celebrated by over 300 million people across Central Asia, the Middle East, and diaspora communities worldwide. Easter's date is directly tied to the spring equinox. Japan's sakura (cherry blossom) season draws millions to parks for hanami (flower viewing) parties. Spring cleaning traditions from British homes to Chinese lunar new year preparations reflect the universal urge to refresh at the season's turn.

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