If you’re hoping for an early spring as frigid cold and snow batter Michigan this week, you’re going to be waiting a few more months.
With the state coated in snow and severe cold settling in amid winter weather warnings on Jan. 21, the spring equinox won’t officially kick off the season until March 20, but even then, you can likely expect a few more snow showers and cold for a few more weeks.
Here’s what to know about the coming spring.
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.
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.
How cold will it get this week?
As snow blankets Michigan, the state is facing severe cold, dropping into the single digits later this week, according to the NWS. Along with high wind gusts and in parts of the U.P., potential wind chills as low as 40 below zero, the severe cold and snow have prompted winter weather watches and advisories in the central and southern Lower Peninsula and western U.P. Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Starting Thursday, Jan. 22, expect overnight lows to drop below zero in parts of northern Michigan and the U.P., spreading southward into the weekend, the weather agency says.
When does winter end in 2026?
Astronomical winter ends at the vernal equinox. Meteorological winter ends Feb. 28, 2026.
Will Punxsutawney Phil really forecast the start of spring?
No, the famous groundhog, or woodchuck, and his cousins across the U.S. don’t have any special weather-forecasting powers.
While groundhogs across the U.S. will emerge on Feb. 2 to “predict” the weather, there is no scientific evidence to back six more weeks of winter if they see their shadow.
Lansing State Journal contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sick of the cold and snow? Here’s when spring officially starts
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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