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.
Understanding the timing of the four seasons requires looking at both the tilt of the Earth and the patterns of our atmosphere. Here is everything you need to know about when the seasons start and end. 1. The Astronomical Approach (Solstices and Equinoxes)
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.
Spring (Vernal Equinox): Starts around March 20 or 21. On this day, the sun passes directly over the equator, making day and night nearly equal in length.
Summer (Summer Solstice): 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.
Autumn (Autumnal Equinox): Starts around September 22 or 23. Like the spring equinox, the sun crosses the equator again, signaling the transition into cooler months.
Winter (Winter Solstice): Starts around December 21 or 22. This is the shortest day of the year, marking the point when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun. 2. The Meteorological Approach (Simplified Cycles)
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.
Scientists and climatologists use the Meteorological Calendar, 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?
You might notice that the astronomical start dates move slightly from year to year (e.g., Spring starting on March 20th one year and the 21st the next). This happens because a solar year is actually 365.24 days long, not exactly 365. Our Gregorian calendar accounts for this with Leap Years, which resets the alignment and causes those minor shifts in the equinox and solstice dates. 4. The Hemisphere Flip
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.
Northern Hemisphere: Spring (March), Summer (June), Fall (Sept), Winter (Dec).
Southern Hemisphere: Autumn (March), Winter (June), Spring (Sept), Summer (Dec). Summary Table: 2024–2025 (Northern Hemisphere) Astronomical Start (2024/25) Meteorological Start Spring Summer Autumn September 22 September 1 Winter December 21 December 1
Whether you follow the stars or the thermometer, the changing seasons remain one of nature’s most predictable and beautiful rhythms.
When the four seasons start and end depends on whether you follow the stars or the thermometer. There are two primary systems used to define these dates: the astronomical calendar and the meteorological The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1. Astronomical Seasons (Celestial Alignment)
The astronomical seasons are dictated by the Earth's position relative to the Sun, specifically marked by two (when day and night are nearly equal) and two
(the longest and shortest days of the year). Because a full orbit takes approximately 365.24 days, these dates shift slightly each year. in the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical timeline is: Starts March 20 (Vernal Equinox) and ends June 20. Starts June 21 (Summer Solstice) and ends September 21. Fall (Autumn):
Starts September 22 (Autumnal Equinox) and ends December 20. when do the four seasons start and end
Starts December 21 (Winter Solstice) and ends March 19, 2027. The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2. Meteorological Seasons (Temperature Cycles)
Calendar, astronomical and meteorological seasons - MeteoSwiss
The start and end dates for the four seasons depend on whether you use the astronomical calendar (based on the Earth's orbit) or the meteorological calendar (based on temperature cycles). 2026 Season Dates (Northern Hemisphere)
In the Northern Hemisphere, the dates for the current year are as follows: Meteorological Dates Astronomical Dates (Approx.) Spring March 1 – May 31 March 20 – June 20 Summer June 1 – August 31 June 21 – September 22 Fall September 1 – November 30 September 22 – December 20 Winter December 1 – February 28/29 December 21 – March 19 Two Ways to Define Seasons When Do the Seasons Start and End in 2026?
In 2026, the four seasons start and end on different dates depending on whether you use the astronomical (solstices and equinoxes) or meteorological (full months) definition. Northern Hemisphere Seasons (2026) Astronomical Dates Meteorological Dates Spring March 20 – June 20 March 1 – May 31 Summer June 21 – September 22 June 1 – August 31 Autumn September 23 – December 20 September 1 – November 30 Winter December 21 – March 19, 2027 December 1 – February 28, 2027 Southern Hemisphere Seasons (2026) Astronomical Dates Meteorological Dates Autumn March 20 – June 20 March 1 – May 31 Winter June 21 – September 22 June 1 – August 31 Spring September 23 – December 21 September 1 – November 30 Summer December 22 – March 19, 2027 December 1 – February 28, 2027 Key Differences
Astronomical Seasons: Based on Earth's position relative to the Sun. These dates vary slightly each year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit. Tools like the Time and Date Season Calculator can show exact times for your specific location.
Meteorological Seasons: Used by climatologists for consistent data tracking, these divide the year into four three-month periods. In Australia, for example, the Bureau of Meteorology typically defines seasons starting on the first day of the month. When Do Seasons Start and End? - Time and Date
When Do the Four Seasons Start and End? A Helpful Guide
As we go about our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose track of the changing seasons. But understanding when each season starts and ends can help us plan our activities, appreciate the beauty of nature, and stay connected to the world around us.
In this blog post, we'll break down the exact dates for the start and end of each season in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a farmer, or simply someone who loves to stay organized, this guide is for you!
The Four Seasons: A Quick Overview
Before we dive into the specific dates, let's quickly review the four seasons:
When Do the Seasons Start and End in the Northern Hemisphere?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the seasons start and end on the following dates:
When Do the Seasons Start and End in the Southern Hemisphere?
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed due to the Earth's tilt. Here are the dates:
Why Do the Dates Vary Slightly from Year to Year? While the calendar on your wall gives you
The dates of the seasons can vary slightly from year to year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun. This means that the exact dates of the solstices and equinoxes can shift by a day or two from one year to the next.
Conclusion
Understanding when the four seasons start and end can help us appreciate the beauty and rhythms of nature. Whether you're in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, we hope this guide has been helpful in planning your activities and staying connected to the world around you.
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What's your favorite thing to do during each season? Do you have a favorite holiday or tradition? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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Meteorologists and climatologists use fixed calendar dates for simpler record-keeping and forecasting. These seasons align more closely with the annual temperature cycle. The dates are fixed and do not vary by year.
The Chinese calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, each about 15 days long. While the solstices and equinoxes are included (as "Summer Solstice" and "Winter Solstice"), the start of a season is different:
These dates are based on the sun’s celestial longitude reaching 315°, 45°, 135°, and 225°, respectively.
If you’d like: I can
The start and end dates of the four seasons depend on whether you use the astronomical
definition (based on Earth's position relative to the Sun) or the meteorological
definition (based on the calendar and temperature cycles). Because Earth is tilted, seasons are reversed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2026 Seasonal Dates
For the year 2026, the specific astronomical transitions are as follows: Northern Hemisphere (Astronomical) Southern Hemisphere (Astronomical) March 20 – June 20 September 23 – December 21 June 21 – September 21 December 22 – March 19 (2027) September 22 – December 20 March 20 – June 20 December 21 – March 19 (2027) June 21 – September 22 Two Ways to Define Seasons Astronomical Seasons : These are defined by (when day and night are roughly equal) and
(the longest and shortest days of the year). These dates vary slightly each year because the Earth takes about 365.24 days to orbit the Sun. Meteorological Seasons Spring : A time of renewal and growth,
: Used by scientists for consistent record-keeping, these split the year into four 3-month periods that always start on the first day of a month. Northern Hemisphere
: Spring (March 1), Summer (June 1), Autumn (Sept 1), Winter (Dec 1). Southern Hemisphere
: Spring (Sept 1), Summer (Dec 1), Autumn (March 1), Winter (June 1). The Old Farmer’s Almanac The Role of Earth's Tilt
Seasons of the Year: When Do They Start and End? - Time and Date
When Do the Four Seasons Start and End? A Comprehensive Guide
The four seasons - spring, summer, autumn (or fall), and winter - are a fundamental part of our planet's annual cycle. Each season brings its own unique characteristics, weather patterns, and activities, and understanding when they start and end can help us make the most of the year. In this article, we'll explore the exact dates of the four seasons and what you can expect during each one.
The Astronomical Definition of the Seasons
The four seasons are defined by the Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun. The planet's axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees, which means that the amount of sunlight it receives varies throughout the year. The seasons are determined by the following astronomical events:
When Do the Four Seasons Start and End?
The dates of the four seasons vary slightly from year to year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun. However, the following dates are generally accepted as the start and end dates of each season:
The Meteorological Definition of the Seasons
While the astronomical definition of the seasons is based on the Earth's position in its orbit, the meteorological definition is based on the annual temperature cycle. The meteorological seasons are defined as:
This definition is often used by meteorologists and climatologists to simplify the analysis of weather patterns and climate trends.
What to Expect During Each Season
Now that we've covered the start and end dates of the four seasons, let's take a brief look at what you can expect during each one:
Conclusion
The four seasons are an integral part of our planet's annual cycle, and understanding when they start and end can help us appreciate the changing world around us. Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast, a weather buff, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, knowing the dates of the seasons can help you make the most of the year. So mark your calendars, plan your activities, and enjoy the unique characteristics of each season!