When does spring start in Washington state? See 2 ways to measure the season

It’s getting harder and harder in Washington state to tell when one season ends and another begins.

Temperature and precipitation changes take place later and later, blurring the lines between seasons.

So when do the seasons actually change?

It depends which definition you’re using. Here’s what to know:

When is the astronomical start of spring?

Astronomical seasons are based on the earth’s position relative to the sun.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of spring aligns with the vernal equinox, which falls on Friday, March 20, in 2026.

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 Old Farmer’s Almanac said.

From an astronomical standpoint, spring lasts through much of June, ending with the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21.

When is meteorological spring?

Meteorological spring is different from astronomical spring.

Meteorological seasons reflect annual temperature cycles, aligning with calendar months.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, here’s when meteorological seasons fall in Earth’s Northern Hemisphere:

• Spring: March, April and May
• Summer: June, July and August
• Fall: September, October and November
• Winter: December, January and February

In 2026, meteorological spring began on Sunday, March 1.

Can Washington state expect spring rains soon?

Whichever definition you use, spring begins in March.

So will Washington state see rain and cooler temperatures this month?

The Evergreen State needs spring weather to hit hard, according to experts.

An unseasonably dry winter has left much of the state in drought, and with a devastatingly low snow pack.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly three-fourths of Washington state — 74.9% — was abnormally dry or worse as of Thursday, Feb. 26.

About 25.7% of Washington state was experiencing “moderate drought” conditions the federal drought monitor said, while 2.3% of the state in “severe drought.”

In late January, Caroline Mellor with the Washington State Department of Ecology said snowpack across Washington was less than 60% of average, compared to the region’s standard between 1991 and 2020.

While it’s hard to say exactly what spring will look like, long-range weather forecasts from the federal Climate Prediction Center anticipate temperatures and precipitation levels to be about average this spring in Washington state.

In recent years, Washington has seen a series of concerningly dry winters followed by late-season snowfall, so it’s possible snow could still come.

Experts with the National Weather Service say March will be key to predicting the upcoming season.

Even if Washington received multiple significant storms increasing snowpack, the state would need to stay cool enough through spring.