When does spring start in California? Here’s what to know as new season begins
California has finally made it through the coldest, darkest days of the year.
Winter is in its final stretch — and a new season is nearly here.
Spring officially starts on Friday, March 20, which means more sunlight and warmer days are headed to the Golden State.
The spring equinox marks the official start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere and the return of hotter temperatures to California.
Here’s what to know about the change of seasons:
When is the spring equinox?
The 2026 spring equinox lands on Friday, March 20, at 7:46 a.m., according to Time and Date.
The first day of spring usually falls on March 19, 20, or 21, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What is the vernal equinox?
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the almanac said.
During the March equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere receive roughly the same amount of sunlight since neither hemisphere is tilted more toward or away from the sun, the almanac said.
The Latin word “equinox” translates to “equal night” in English.
“On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world,” the almanac said.
What’s the spring weather forecast for California?
As the days get longer after the spring equinox, temperatures tend to tick up across the state
“Spring is also the time when the cold of winter begins to give way to warmer weather,” Time and Date said.
Northern California has “leaning above” chances of seeing higher-than-normal temperatures in March, April and May, according to the long-range forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.
Temperatures in parts of Southern California will likely trend above normal as well, the Climate Prediction Center said.
According to the Old Farmer Almanac’s 60-day extended forecast, slightly warmer temperatures than usual are expected in California for the months of March and April.
