Knowing and understanding when the seasons start and end can easily become nuanced and debatable. Seasons can either be defined by the astronomical start of a season, commonly understood as solstices or equinoxes, or the meteorological start of a season, understood as being the first of the month in three-month increments. The Farmer’s Almanac uses the astronomical start of a season in order to more accurately base it on the Earth’s relative positition to the Sun!
According to the Almanac:
Spring begins around March 19-21. This period, known as the vernal equinox, marks the point when daylight and nighttime are approximately equal. It’s a time of rebirth and renewal as the Earth moves from winter into warmer temperatures.
Summer starts on June 20-21, coinciding with the summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the most daylight.
Fall kicks off around September 22-24 with the autumnal equinox. Similar to the vernal equinox, daylight and nighttime are nearly equal as we transition from summer to cooler temperatures.
Winter begins on December 21-23, aligning with the winter solstice. This day marks the shortest daylight of the year as the Sun appears at its lowest point in the sky.
These dates are different than the meteorological start of a season, but its purpose is also different, as meteoreological seasons provide consistency for climate statistics, weather forecasts, and even agricultural planning.
To find out more about these complex differences of when the seasons truly start read here: https://bit.ly/3Tk20o6
