How many days until spring 2027? March 1 or March 20, and why the answer changes

2026-11-03

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, ZAGO.TO earns from qualifying purchases.

Is spring three and a half months away, or closer to four and a half? It depends on whether you trust the weather service or the astronomers.

From November 3, 2026, there are 137 days until spring by the equinox on Saturday, March 20, 2027, and 118 days by the meteorological start on March 1.

Both numbers are correct. Here is which one fits what you are counting for.

Spring 2027 dates at a glance

▲ The two starts are 19 days apart in 2027

| Spring in | Starts | Ends | |---|---|---| | Astronomical (north) | March 20, 2027, 4:25 PM EDT (20:25 UTC) | June 21, 2027 | | Meteorological (north) | March 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | | Astronomical (south) | September 23, 2027 | December 2027 solstice | | Meteorological (south) | September 1, 2027 | November 30, 2027 |

The equinox is the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator. Day and night are close to equal length everywhere.

It drifts between March 19, 20 and 21 from year to year, which is why the "first day of spring" printed on calendars moves.

Meteorologists skip the drift. They split the year into whole months, so spring is always March, April and May. That makes seasonal temperature records easy to compare.

How many days until spring from other dates

Today is not counted, and the start day is.

| Counting from | To March 1 | To March 20 | |---|---|---| | November 3, 2026 | 118 | 137 | | December 1, 2026 | 90 | 109 | | January 1, 2027 | 59 | 78 | | February 1, 2027 | 28 | 47 | | March 1, 2027 | 0 | 19 |

▲ From New Year's Day, the equinox is 78 days out

From November 3, the equinox is 19 weeks and 4 days away.

If you want a number that ticks down by itself, add "Spring" with either date in ZAGO.TO Days Until.

It shows days, weeks and weekdays left, and keeps the countdown on that phone.

It does not send reminders, and the countdown will not appear on your other devices. Put the date in your calendar app too if you want an alert.

Spring break and the clock change are earlier

Two spring dates arrive before either official start.

Daylight saving time in the US begins on Sunday, March 14, 2027, six days before the equinox. That is the morning most people first feel spring, because evenings suddenly stay light.

Spring break belongs to your school, not the calendar.

Many US colleges and districts break somewhere in March, but the week differs by school. Look up the academic calendar and count to that date instead.

The same counting rules apply, as explained in our guide to counting down to a date.

Already planning past spring? We worked out how many days until summer the same way.

Spring in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

South of the equator, the seasons flip.

Australia and New Zealand count spring from September 1, so from November 3, 2026, the next southern spring is 302 days away.

The September equinox, on September 23, 2027, is 324 days out.

Right now, in early November, the southern hemisphere is already in late spring.

▲ Pick the start that matches your plans, then let it count

Key takeaways

The spring equinox is March 20, 2027, 137 days from November 3, 2026
Weather services start spring on March 1, 19 days earlier
For spring break, count to your own school's date with Days Until

Other tools: Age Calculator · Wheel Spinner