When Is the Spring Equinox 2026? Dates and Science Behind the Phenomenon

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The spring equinox officially signals the start of the astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the definitive end of the winter season. According to USA Today, this phenomenon will fall on March 20 this year, at precisely 10:46 a.m. ET when the sun's rays fall directly on the equator. 

This positioning creates nearly equal hours of day and night across the globe, providing a brief moment of balance before the seasons shift. Following the spring equinox, daylight hours will steadily increase each day until we reach the summer solstice in June.

What Happens During the Equinox

An equinox is a specific moment in time where the sun crosses the celestial equator. As noted by LiveScience, this results in the sun shining nearly directly over the Earth's equator, which produces almost equal hours of light and darkness in both hemispheres. The name itself reflects this balance, coming from the Latin words "aequus" (equal) and "nox" (night).

How the Phenomenon Occurs

This event is driven by the Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt relative to its orbit around the sun. According to the NASA Earth Observatory, the Earth's axis usually points toward or away from the sun, but during the equinox, the tilt is perfectly parallel to its orbit. 

Because the axis points neither toward nor away from the sun at this exact moment, solar energy is distributed equally between the north and south.

Where the Equinox is Felt

The equinox is a global event that happens at the same time everywhere on Earth. While it brings spring to the Northern Hemisphere, it simultaneously marks the start of autumn for the Southern Hemisphere. On this day, the sun rises almost exactly in the east and sets almost exactly in the west for nearly every location on the planet.

The Weather Forecast and Regional Expectations

Based on long-range predictions from the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the weather following the 2026 equinox will vary by region. Much of the United States is expected to see warmer-than-average temperatures throughout April and May. 

While drier-than-normal conditions will dominate most regions, areas like Texas, Oklahoma, and the Upper Midwest are forecast to see higher precipitation levels. These warmer trends may lead to faster soil drying, requiring earlier moisture monitoring for gardening and agriculture.

MUHAMMAD RAYMIZZAAD NOOR

Read: 9 Best Places to Visit in Asia During Spring 2026

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