Seasons Of The Year Dates Jun 2026

Astronomical seasons shift slightly every year due to irregularities in the planet's orbit. Meanwhile, meteorological seasons stay locked to the exact same calendar dates to simplify tracking and data recording. Astronomical vs. Meteorological Seasons

Determined by the physical position of Earth relative to the Sun. These seasons begin on solstices (when the Earth reaches its maximum tilt toward or away from the Sun) and equinoxes (when the Sun sits directly over the equator). Because a true solar orbit takes roughly 365.24 days, these dates fluctuate by a few days each year.

The core difference between the two systems stems from what experts measure to define a change in weather patterns.

Thus, they simplified things. Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and split the year into neat, three-month blocks. Astronomical seasons shift slightly every year due to

These dates are approximate because the Earth's orbit is not perfectly uniform, and the tilt of its axis can vary slightly over time. However, for most practical purposes, these dates serve as reliable markers for the beginning and end of each season.

Here are the standard dates for the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere (which includes North America, Europe, and most of Asia) and the Southern Hemisphere (which includes Australia, South America, and most of Africa). | Season | Meteorological Start | Astronomical Start (approx

Climatologists and weather forecasters grew frustrated with the solstices. Why? Because December 1st feels like winter, and waiting until December 21st to call a snowstorm a “winter storm” messes up temperature data.