Seasons in Northern Hemisphere – When do they start and end?

The Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres. Therefore, as a result, if you are living in places above the equator i.e in the northern hemisphere, you get to see totally different seasons as compared to the places below the equator i.e in the southern hemisphere. In other words, seasons in the northern hemisphere are opposite to the seasons in the southern hemisphere.

For example, when there is winter in the northern hemisphere, at the same time, there is summer in the southern hemisphere. Just to mention, I am going to explain seasons in the northern hemisphere. However, you can check this article to know more about the seasons in the southern hemisphere and their bizarre consequences.

So, the question of this hour is how many seasons are there in the northern hemisphere? I mean, do we have four seasons, or do we have six seasons? Additionally, when do these seasons occur, or do their date changes every year? Most importantly, why do we observe seasons in the first place? Well, if you wanna get a detailed insight, I will suggest you stick with me till the end. Let’s dive right in…!!!

Why do we have seasons?

Just because the earth has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees, we are able to observe different seasons. In fact, the earth’s tilt is also responsible for the seasonal mismatch between the northern and the southern hemisphere. So, here is my question for you…!!! What if there was no axial tilt?

Well, if there was no axial tilt, there won’t be any season on the earth’s surface. In fact, this formula is also applicable to all of the planets in our solar system. For example, Mercury doesn’t have any axial tilt. Therefore, as a result, it does not have any seasons.

On the other hand, Neptune has an axial tilt of 28.5 degrees. Therefore, as a result, Neptune does have noticeable seasonal changes. With this, we can move on to our next question…!!!

How many seasons are there?

Frankly speaking, different cultures have different ways to define that how many seasons are there. For example, as per Indians, (I am an Indian), we have 6 seasons in a calendar year. Since a calendar year has 12 months, therefore, we allot two months to each season.

These are Late Winter (mid-Jan to mid-March), Spring (mid-March to mid-May), Summer (mid-May to mid-July), Monsoon (mid-July to mid-September), Autumn (mid-Sept to mid-Nov), and, Early Winter (mid-Nov to mid-Jan).

However, if we talk about some common ground, as per fundamentally accepted seasons, we have only four seasons in a calendar year. Again, since a calendar year has 12 months, therefore, each season lasts about three months. These are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

Definition of Seasons

There are two ways to define seasons. These are the astronomical and meteorological definitions of seasons. As per astronomy, the arrival of equinoxes and solstices marks the beginning as well as the end of the seasons in the northern hemisphere.

For example, not only March Equinox marks the official arrival of the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. But also marks the end of the winters in the northern hemisphere.

On the other hand, in meteorology, equinoxes and solstices are not considered for the seasonal definition. As per meteorological definitions, seasons start on the first day of the month. For example, the spring season in the northern hemisphere starts on March 1 and stay till May 31.

Different Seasons in Northern Hemisphere

There are four seasons that occur in the earth’s northern hemisphere. These are Spring which occurs in the month of March, summer in June, Autumn in September, and finally, Winter in December.

Not to mention, their start and end date change as per their astronomical and meteorological definitions. Let us get to know each one of them in detail. But before going ahead, take a look at the table given below.

Spring in Northern Hemisphere

The Vernal or simply the Spring in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of March. Not to mention, as per meteorological definition, the spring starts on March 1 and stays till May 31. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of spring occurs on the eve of March Equinox.

In 2024, March Equinox i.e the first day of spring in northern hemisphere will occur on Tuesday, March 20 at sharp 03:07 AM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). On this day, the sun crosses over the imaginary celestial line from the south to the north direction. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas start to warm up rapidly. Hence, marking the end of the winter and the arrival of the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of March Equinox, daylight and nighttime hours become equal. And, with that, the day will get longer and longer with each passing day. For the people of the northern hemisphere, this process of longer days and shorter nights will go on until the arrival of the June solstice that marks the end of spring and the arrival of the summers in the earth’s northern areas.

Summer in Northern Hemisphere

The Estival or simply summer in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of June. As per meteorological definition, the summer starts on June 1 and stays till August 31. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of summer occurs on the eve of the June solstice.

In 2024, the June solstice i.e the first day of summer in northern hemisphere will occur on Thursday, June 20 at 08:51 PM Universal Coordinated time (UTC). On this day, the north pole of the earth is at its maximum tilt towards the sun. Therefore, as a result, marking the brightest as well as the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of the June solstice, for the northerners, not only the sun’s orbital path across the sky will be as high as it can, but the sun will also enter the tropic of cancer on the eve of June Solstice.

Fall in Northern Hemisphere

Autumn or simply fall in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of September. As per meteorological definition, the fall starts on September 1 and stays till November 30. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of fall occurs on the eve of September Equinox.

In 2024, the September Equinox i.e the first day of fall in northern hemisphere will occur on Sunday, September 22 at 12:44 PM Universal Coordinated time (UTC). On this day, the sun crosses over the imaginary celestial line from the north to the south direction. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas start to cool down rapidly. Hence marking the end of the summers and the arrival of the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of September Equinox, daylight and nighttime hours become equal. And, after that, days will become shorter and shorter with each passing day. For the people of the northern hemisphere, this process of shorter days and longer nights will go on until the arrival of the December solstice which marks the arrival of the winter season in Earth’s northern areas.

Winter in Northern Hemisphere

The hibernal or simply winter season in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of December. As per meteorological definition, the winter starts on December 1 and stays till February 28 (February 29 in a Leap Year). However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of winter occurs on the eve of the December Solstice.

In 2024, the December solstice i.e the first day of winter in northern hemisphere will occur on Saturday, December 21 at sharp 09:20 AM Universal Coordinated time (UTC). On this day, the north pole of the earth is at its maximum tilt away from the sun. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas receive minimum sunlight. Hence, marking the darkest as well as the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of the December solstice, for the northerners, not only the sun’s orbital path across the sky will be as low as it can, but the sun also enters the tropic of Capricorn on the eve of the December solstice.

That’s it for this post. If you like this article, share it if you like, like it if you share it. You can also find us on Mix, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. Hey man, If you have come this far, do give us feedback in the comment section. It would make my day. You can also make a donation. Your donations will help us to run our website and serve you BETTER. Cheers!!!

You might also like:

• March Equinox 2024 – First Day of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere
• June Solstice 2024 – First Day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere
• September Equinox 2024 – First Day of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere
• December Solstice 2024 – First Day of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere