Seasons Of The Year Dates Exclusive File
| Season | Meteorological Start | Astronomical Start (approx.) | Feels Like | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | March 1 | March 20 | Clean, rainy, unpredictable | | Summer | June 1 | June 21 | Hot, long days, humid | | Autumn | September 1 | September 22 | Crisp, golden, windy | | Winter | December 1 | December 21 | Cold, dark, stark | The Verdict There is no single “correct” date for the seasons. Instead, we have tools for different jobs. Use the astronomical calendar when you want to marvel at the cosmos, celebrate an equinox, or explain why the midnight sun exists. Use the meteorological calendar when you want to know what sweater to pack for your entire trip in March.
For a beach trip, no. For your heating bill, maybe. But for scientists tracking climate change, it’s critical. Using meteorological dates reveals that the planet is warming faster in certain three-month blocks. Using astronomical dates can hide those trends in a fog of shifting calendar dates. seasons of the year dates
Furthermore, the mismatch affects psychology. If you define winter by cold and darkness, the solstice (December 21) is actually the midpoint of the dark season—not the beginning. No wonder so many people feel the post-holiday blues in January; astronomically, you are only halfway through. To help you navigate the next party debate or plan your garden planting, here is the final breakdown for the Northern Hemisphere (reverse for the Southern): | Season | Meteorological Start | Astronomical Start (approx