A season is a segment of the year defined by changes in weather, ecology, and the amount of daylight. Seasons are marked by specific weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun.
Seasons are crucial for understanding and predicting weather patterns and climate. They influence agricultural activities, water supply, and energy consumption.
In the following lines, we will discover when the seasons start, end, and answer the most common questions that are relevant when it comes to Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Understanding the start and end dates of seasons is crucial for planning and preparation. Let's delve into the specific dates for both astronomical and meteorological seasons.
The dates are based on the Earth's position relative to the Sun, indicated by equinoxes and solstices.
Season | Start | End |
Spring | March 19-21 | June 20-22 |
Summer | June 20-22 | September 21-23 |
Autumn (Fall) | September 21-23 | December 20-22 |
Winter | December 20-22 | March 19-21 |
Meteorological Seasons, on the other hand, provide a more predictable and consistent timeline. Their start and end dates are based on the annual temperature cycle and the Gregorian calendar, making them easier for meteorological and statistical purposes.
Season | Start | End |
Spring | March 1 | May 31 |
Summer | June 1 | August 31 |
Autumn (Fall) | September 1 | November 30 |
Winter | December 1 | February 28 (29 in leap years) |
Astronomical dates and times (based on equinoxes and solstices) in UTC.
Now that you know when each of the seasons start, let's discover the characteristics of each of the seasons, what are the key activities and festivities.
Spring is a season characterized by renewal and rejuvenation. As winter's chill fades, nature awakens with blossoming flowers, budding trees, and the return of green landscapes. We will observe that days are longer, and the outdoor temperature will continue to rise, creating a pleasant and refreshing atmosphere. With melting snow and increased rainfall, spring marks the start of farming activities.
This season is often associated with growth and new beginnings in nature and human endeavors. People engage in outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, and picnicking, taking advantage of the mild weather and the beauty of blooming flora.
Spring celebrations and holidays, such as Easter and Holi, celebrate themes of rebirth and the season's vibrant colors.
Summer is marked by warmth and sunshine, with the longest days and the highest temperatures. It is a time of abundant energy and outdoor activities. People flock to beaches, parks, and swimming pools to cool off and enjoy the sunshine. Summer is the peak growing season for crops.
School vacations and holidays like the Fourth of July in the United States encourage travel, family gatherings, and barbecues.
The season is also synonymous with various outdoor sports and events, including baseball games, music festivals, and outdoor concerts. Despite the occasional heatwaves and thunderstorms, summer is often seen as a carefree and joyful time, ideal for enduring memories with loved ones.
Autumn, also known as fall, is a season of transition and transformation. As the temperatures cool, trees display a stunning array of colors, with leaves turning shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown before falling to the ground.
The season is marked by harvest festivals and traditions such as Thanksgiving, where people come together to celebrate the abundance of the year's crops. The crisp air and shorter days signal the approaching winter, and activities shift towards cozy indoor pursuits. Fall is also the back-to-school season and a good moment to prepare for winter.
Autumn is a time for enjoying warm beverages, donning sweaters and scarves, and partaking in seasonal festivities like Halloween. The beauty of the changing foliage and the sense of preparation for the colder months ahead make autumn a season rich with tradition and reflection.
Winter is characterized by its cold temperatures, shorter days, and often snowy landscapes. It is a season of stillness and dormancy, where many plants and animals enter a state of rest. For humans, winter brings a mix of indoor comfort and outdoor adventures.
People enjoy skiing, ice skating, and building snowmen while embracing home warmth with hot drinks, fireplaces, and cozy gatherings.
The season is marked by significant holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve, which bring light and joy to the year's darkest days. Despite the challenges of the cold weather, winter offers a unique beauty and a time for introspection and celebration.
What Causes the Seasons?
Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis (approximately 23.5 degrees) and its rotation around the Sun. Because of this inclination, the amount of sunlight reaching different Earth portions varies throughout the year. This is why the seasons are caused by variations in the Sun's ray angle as the Earth revolves around it.
Why the Start Dates of Seasons Change?
The exact timing of equinoxes and solstices can differ each year because to the Earth's elliptical orbit and gravitational interactions with the Moon and other planets.
Which Season is the Shortest?
The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit is the main reason why winter is typically the shortest season, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
Are Season Start Dates the Same in Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
No, the seasons are opposite. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere corresponds to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and the other way around.
What are the Months of Each Season?
In the Northern Hemisphere:
In the Southern Hemisphere, the months are shifted by half a year:
What are the start and end dates for winter?
What are the equinoxes and solstices?
The seasons change according to the astronomical calendar and are signaled by the equinoxes and solstices. They are critical components of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Equinoxes
The equinox is one of the two times of the year when the lengths of the day and night are about equal. Spring begins on the vernal equinox, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox.
The term equinox comes from the Latin phrase "the time of equal days and nights," which comes from the words equi-, which means "equal," and nocti-, meaning "night."
Occur twice a year when day and night are approximately equal in length.
Solstices
A solstice is one of the two times of the year when there is the greatest or least amount of daylight in a single day. Summer and winter begin on the solstices.
The term "solstice" comes from the words "sōl," meaning "sun," and sistere, which means "to stand still." Sōlstitium literally means "the standing still of the sun."
Occur twice a year, marking the longest and shortest days.