Note: In the Southern Hemisphere, the astronomical seasons are reversed (e.g., their summer starts in December).
Areas near the equator do not experience dramatic shifts in solar radiation or day length. Instead of four temperature-based seasons, they divide the year into two moisture-based seasons:
Before we dive into specific dates, it’s crucial to understand the two competing (but equally valid) definitions.
Spring begins at the vernal equinox. On this day, the sun shines directly over the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night across the globe. As the season progresses, the Northern Hemisphere tilts increasingly toward the sun, causing daylight hours to lengthen and temperatures to warm. Summer (Summer Solstice to Autumnal Equinox) Start Date: Around June 20–22 End Date: Around September 21–23 when do the four seasons start and end
(based on annual temperature cycles, simpler for record-keeping)
Starts at the Vernal Equinox (March 19, 20, or 21) and ends at the Summer Solstice (June 20 or 21). Meteorological Spring: Starts March 1 and ends May 31.
By March 1, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere are consistently rising. March, April, and May form a neat, predictable block for record-keeping. Note: In the Southern Hemisphere, the astronomical seasons
If you are planning an event or tracking weather trends, I can provide more specific details.
For most people in the Northern Hemisphere, the official "first day" of a season follows the astronomical calendar, though weather experts use fixed monthly dates for better data tracking. Time and Date Astronomical (Sun Position) Meteorological (Calendar) March 20 – June 20 March 1 – May 31 June 21 – Sept 21 June 1 – August 31 Sept 22 – Dec 20 Sept 1 – Nov 30 Dec 21 – March 19 (2027) Dec 1 – Feb 28 (2027) Why Two Different Systems?
The article should flow naturally from the general answer to the nuanced details. End with a clear summary table for quick reference. Avoid fluff; every paragraph should add value to answering the core question from different perspectives. Let me write. is a comprehensive, long-form article about the start and end dates of the four seasons, designed to be informative, engaging, and useful for readers. Spring begins at the vernal equinox
Starts June 1 (Meteorological) or June 20–21 (Astronomical). Ends August 31 or September 21–23. Summary Table of Seasonal Dates Season (Northern Hemisphere) Meteorological Dates Astronomical Dates (Approximate) Spring March 1 – May 31 March 20 – June 20 Summer June 1 – August 31 June 21 – September 22 Autumn September 1 – November 30 September 23 – December 21 Winter December 1 – February 28/29 December 21 – March 19 Frequently Asked Questions
If you're interested, I can also look up the specific times of the and solstices for your location. Let me know if that would be useful.
Since astronomical dates vary slightly, here are the specific start dates for 2024 and 2025.
To understand season dates, you must first understand the two different systems used to measure them: astronomical and meteorological. 1. Astronomical Seasons (Based on Earth's Orbit)
