Meteorological seasons have fixed start and end dates that are the same every year, making them ideal for consistent climate data analysis.
Meteorologists and climatologists divide the year into four neat, three-month periods. This system is based on the annual temperature cycle and the Gregorian calendar. Because the months are locked in place, it makes calculating climate statistics much easier. Northern Hemisphere December, January, February Spring: March, April, May Summer: June, July, August Autumn (Fall): September, October, November Southern Hemisphere Summer: December, January, February Autumn (Fall): March, April, May Winter: June, July, August Spring: September, October, November The Astronomical System (The Earth's Tilt)
March, April, and May were chosen first. March arrived with a gust of wind to sweep away the old, while April followed with gentle rains to soften the soil. Finally, May stepped in, painting the meadows with wildflowers. Together, they became Spring , the season of new beginnings. months for the seasons verified
Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa) : September, October, November Summer : December, January, February Autumn : March, April, May Winter : June, July, August Meteorological vs. Astronomical Seasons
Starts mid-June and spans through July, August, into mid-September. Meteorological seasons have fixed start and end dates
The astronomical calendar defines seasons based on the Earth's position relative to the Sun. Because the Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees, different hemispheres receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. This system relies on equinoxes (when day and night are roughly equal) and solstices (the longest and shortest days of the year).
“Indigenous or traditional calendars are wrong.” Verification: ❌ False. Traditional ecological knowledge (e.g., Cree, Māori lunar calendars) is verified by local phenology. However, this article refers specifically to the Gregorian calendar system. Because the months are locked in place, it
Depending on which group you follow, here is how the seasons are verified for each half of the world: Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons | News
This is the simplest way to track seasons. It splits the year into four equal 3-month blocks based on temperature cycles. March 1 – May 31 June 1 – August 31 September 1 – November 30 December 1 – February 28/29 🌎 The Astronomical Calendar This version follows the