The long-awaited transition to spring officially occurs this Friday, March 20, as the Northern Hemisphere marks the vernal equinox. At 10:46 a.m. EDT (7:46 a.m. PDT), the sun will cross the celestial equator, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new astronomical season.
For residents in the Pacific Northwest, the equinox represents a turning point in daylight. While “meteorological spring” began on March 1, the astronomical equinox is the moment when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night across the globe. From this point forward, the region will continue to gain daylight at its fastest rate of the year—roughly three to four minutes per day—until the summer solstice in June.
While the calendar confirms the start of spring, the weather forecast for the Seattle area remains characteristically mixed. Expect typical “spring showers” to usher in the season, with light rain and cool temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s predicted for the weekend.
Beyond the atmosphere, the equinox is a significant cultural marker, historically associated with themes of rebirth and renewal. In nature, the shift is already visible across Washington as daffodils begin to bloom, migratory birds return to the area, and the “Big Dark” of winter officially fades into the rear-view mirror.
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