If you’ve ever noticed that it feels like summer in early June, even though the "official" start isn't until the 21st, you’re thinking like a meteorologist.
Most people are familiar with the astronomical seasons. These are defined by the Earth's position relative to the sun. Because the Earth is tilted on its axis at roughly 23.5 degrees, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
Starts around September 22 or 23 . Like the spring equinox, the sun crosses the equator again, signaling the transition into cooler months.
Scientists and climatologists use the , which breaks the seasons into three-month blocks based on the annual temperature cycle rather than the Earth's tilt. This makes record-keeping much simpler. Spring: March 1 – May 31 Summer: June 1 – August 31 Autumn: September 1 – November 30 Winter: December 1 – February 28 (or 29) 3. Why Do the Dates Shift?
It is important to remember that seasons are inverted between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. When the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing the Winter Solstice in December, the Southern Hemisphere (countries like Australia and Brazil) is celebrating the Summer Solstice.
While the calendar on your wall gives you a specific date for the start of spring or fall, the "true" beginning of a season depends entirely on who you ask—an astronomer or a meteorologist.
Spring (March), Summer (June), Fall (Sept), Winter (Dec).
Starts around March 20 or 21 . On this day, the sun passes directly over the equator, making day and night nearly equal in length.
Whether you follow the stars or the thermometer, the changing seasons remain one of nature’s most predictable and beautiful rhythms.
Starts around June 20 or 21 . This is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the North Pole is tilted most directly toward the sun.