When Do The Four Seasons Start And End [2026]

calendar (based on Earth's position relative to the sun) or the meteorological

Astronomical seasons are defined by the position of the Earth relative to the sun. This system uses solstices (when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point at noon) and equinoxes (when day and night are of equal length). Because a calendar year is 365 days, but Earth takes 365.24 days to orbit the sun, the exact dates of the astronomical seasons shift by a day or two each year. 2. Meteorological Seasons (Based on the Calendar)

Meteorological seasons were created by scientists and climatologists for keeping clean records. Instead of shifting dates, this system breaks the year into four neat, three-month periods that align perfectly with the Gregorian calendar. Every season starts on the first day of a month and lasts exactly three months. When Do the Seasons Start and End? (Northern Hemisphere) when do the four seasons start and end

Areas near the equator do not experience significant changes in the amount of daylight or temperature throughout the year. Instead of four seasons, these regions typically have just two: the Wet Season (monsoon/rainy) and the Dry Season .

Starts March 1 and ends May 31 . This includes the months of March, April, and May. calendar (based on Earth's position relative to the

Regions near the equator experience relatively constant solar radiation all year long. Instead of four temperature-based seasons, they typically have two climate-based seasons: the Wet (Monsoon) Season and the Dry Season .

Starts on September 1 and ends on November 30 . Every season starts on the first day of

A standard calendar year is 365 days, but it actually takes Earth 365.2422 days to make one full trip around the sun. To fix this drift, we add a "leap day" (February 29) every four years. This correction pulls the astronomical dates back by a day.

The confusion is understandable. There isn't just one universal answer to the question, In fact, scientists, meteorologists, and astronomers use two very different systems to define the seasons.

Governed by the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the sun. This system uses solstices and equinoxes as the official transition points.

The dates below are for the Northern Hemisphere . If you live in the Southern Hemisphere (e.g., Australia, Brazil, South Africa), the seasons are reversed.