Vernal Equinox – The First Day of Spring (March 20, 2026)

Today, March 20, 2026, marks the Vernal Equinox — the official start of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere. While many people simply think of it as “the first day of spring,” the equinox is actually a fascinating moment of balance in Earth’s orbit.

What Is the Vernal Equinox?

The Vernal Equinox occurs when the Sun crosses directly over Earth’s equator. At that exact moment, the planet is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun. Because of this, most places on Earth experience nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness.

After today, the Northern Hemisphere begins receiving more daylight each day. That means brighter mornings, longer evenings, and the gradual return of warmer temperatures — something many of us look forward to after a long winter.

The Science Behind It

Earth orbits the Sun on a tilted axis, which is what creates the seasons. As our planet travels around the Sun, that tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive more or less sunlight throughout the year.

The equinox is one of only two moments each year when the Sun sits directly above the equator. The other happens in September, marking the start of autumn.

Even the exact timing of the equinox shifts slightly from year to year. That’s because Earth doesn’t orbit the Sun in exactly 365 days — it actually takes about 365 days and nearly 6 hours. Those extra hours are also why we need leap years to keep the calendar aligned.

Why the Vernal Equinox Feels So Important

Beyond the science, the first day of spring has always represented a fresh start. Nature begins to wake up again, daylight stretches a little further each evening, and everything starts to feel lighter and more energized.

Here in the Lower Mainland, spring also brings a noticeable change in the real estate market. Buyers become more active, listings start to increase, and many homeowners begin preparing their homes for the busy spring season.

Thinking About Making a Move This Spring?

Spring is traditionally one of the strongest times of the year to buy or sell a home. If you’ve been thinking about making a move in 2026, now is a great time to start planning ahead.

Whether you’re just curious about the current market or ready to take the next step, I’d be happy to help.

Tara Kennedy
REALTOR® – Tri-Cities & the Lower Mainland
📞 236-992-8989
🌐 www.tarakennedy.ca

#VernalEquinox #FirstDayOfSpring #Spring2026 #NewBeginnings #Astronomy #SeasonalChange #LongerDays #HelloSpring #NatureLovers #March20 #TaraKennedy #TaraKennedyRealtor #PortCoquitlamRealtor #CoquitlamRealtor #PortMoodyRealtor #RoyalLePageWestRealEstateServices #HomeSweetHome #TriCitiesRealtor