When The Seasons Start And End 💯

| Season | Start Event | Typical Start Date | End Date | |--------|-------------|--------------------|----------| | | Vernal Equinox | September 22–23 | December 21–22 | | Summer | Summer Solstice | December 21–22 | March 19–21 | | Autumn | Autumnal Equinox | March 19–21 | June 20–21 | | Winter | Winter Solstice | June 20–21 | September 22–23 |

For much of history, and in many cultures today, the seasons are defined by the Earth's tilt on its axis relative to the Sun. This is known as the astronomical definition. Because the Earth is tilted at approximately 23.5 degrees, the amount of sunlight different hemispheres receive changes as the planet orbits the Sun. when the seasons start and end

Meteorologists and climatologists split the year into based on annual temperature cycles and for easier data comparison. These dates do not change. | Season | Start Event | Typical Start

Astronomical seasons vary in length (summer is ~93 days, winter ~89 days) and start mid-month, which makes long-term climate tracking messy. Meteorological seasons align with the calendar and typical local weather patterns. Meteorologists and climatologists split the year into based

Determining when a season begins and ends requires context. If the query is astronomical, seasons begin on the solstices and equinoxes, usually falling around the third week of the month. If the query is meteorological, seasons begin on the first day of the month (March, June, September, December). Finally, in the natural world, seasons begin when the environment responds to changing conditions.

The meteorological definition breaks the year into four seasons comprised of three full months each. This system is based on the premise that the "warmest" months constitute summer, and the "coldest" months constitute winter, with transitional periods in between.

Here is a comprehensive guide to when the seasons start and end, and why those dates shift. Astronomical vs. Meteorological Seasons There are two primary ways to define the seasons: