Spring may be peeking around the corner in Michigan, but if you’re hoping to escape winter’s chill, you’ll still have to wait more than a month for the official start of spring.
The spring equinox will kick off the season on March 20, but even then, you can likely expect a few more snow showers and cold for a few more weeks. Meteorological spring begins March 1, but don’t count on warm weather.
Meanwhile, communities across Michigan will soon see some respite in time for Valentine’s Day, with highs expected to reach between the upper 30s and mid 40s by the weekend, according to local National Weather Service offices.
Here’s what to know about the coming spring.
When is the meteorological start of spring 2026?
In meteorology, weather experts consider March 1, 2026, the beginning of spring, the Old Farmer’s Almanac noted.
When will spring 2026 begin?
The vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring, is at 10:46 a.m. EDT on March 20, 2026.
How warm will it get this week?
In southeast Michigan, highs will climb to the low 40s by Saturday, Feb. 14, lasting throughout the weekend, the NWS Detroit/Pontiac office predicts.
Highs are expected to reach the mid-40s this weekend in mid-Michigan, according to the Grand Rapids NWS office. Temperatures will be similar in west Michigan, the Grand Rapids NWS office forecasts.
Areas in northern Michigan are set for highs ranging from the upper 30s into the low 40s over the weekend, per the Gaylord NWS office.
Across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, highs will start in the mid-30s, reaching the low 40s in some regions this weekend, the Gaylord and Marquette NWS offices predict.
When does winter end in 2026?
Astronomical winter ends at the vernal equinox. Meteorological winter ends Feb. 28, 2026.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: It may be warm now, but it’s not spring yet. When the seasons change
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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