Many indigenous groups, such as those in Australia or North America, recognize 6 or more seasons based on biological events like certain flowers blooming or animal migrations. Important: When do seasons "officially" start?
Meteorologists and climatologists divide the year into four 3-month periods based on the annual temperature cycle and our standard calendar. This system is consistent and makes it easier for scientists to compare seasonal data year-over-year. Spring: March, April, May Summer: June, July, August Autumn (Fall): September, October, November Winter: December, January, February Southern Hemisphere (e.g., Australia, Brazil, South Africa)
Most of the world uses the meteorological calendar for simplicity, which splits the year into four 3-month blocks. Northern Hemisphere (e.g., US, Europe) Southern Hemisphere (e.g., Australia, Brazil) March, April, May September, October, November Summer June, July, August December, January, February Autumn (Fall) September, October, November March, April, May Winter December, January, February June, July, August Two-Season Regions (Tropical Zones) what are the seasons months
In casual discourse and general civic understanding, the meteorological definition is the dominant model for assigning months to seasons. This model avoids the confusion of shifting start dates and allows for a clean partition of the year. Under this standard, the months are categorized as:
Based on the Meteorological definition, the seasons are strictly defined as follows: Many indigenous groups, such as those in Australia
The astronomical definition is based on the position of Earth in its orbit. The year is divided by two solstices and two equinoxes. Under this system, the monthly assignments are fluid, as the specific dates of equinoxes and solstices vary slightly each year (occurring between the 20th and 23rd of their respective months).
The division of the calendar into seasons is based on two primary systems: and astronomical . While most people use these terms interchangeably, they actually follow different start dates and logic. The Meteorological Seasons This system is consistent and makes it easier
Starts on the Equinox or Solstice (usually the 20th–22nd of the month). You can check exact dates for each year at Time and Date. Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons | News
Temporal Segmentation of the Solar Year: A Comparative Analysis of Seasonal Month Classifications