two different ways
There are actually to define the seasons: the Meteorological method (used by scientists and weather forecasters) and the Astronomical method (based on the position of the Earth relative to the sun).
- Nearly true, but not exact. Due to atmospheric refraction (the sun’s light bending around the horizon) and the fact that sunrise is defined as the moment the upper edge of the sun appears (not the center), the day of the equinox actually has slightly more than 12 hours of daylight at most latitudes.
- False. Astronomically, the solstice marks the start. Meteorologically, it happens about three weeks into the season. The idea of "Midsummer" (like Shakespeare's play or Swedish Midsommar) is a cultural tradition, not a scientific one.
- Climate change shifts the timing and character of seasons: earlier springs, longer warm seasons, and altered precipitation patterns.
- That makes rigid calendar definitions less reflective of lived experience in many places; many scientists now also emphasize phenological and ecological indicators to describe seasonal shifts.
The dates of the seasons can vary slightly from year to year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun. This means that the exact dates of the solstices and equinoxes can shift by a day or two from one year to the next.
Astronomical
There are two primary methods used to measure the seasons: and Meteorological .
What happens:
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth begins to tilt back toward the sun, leading to warmer temperatures and the blooming of flora. 2. Summer (The Season of Heat)
Seasons of the Year: When Do They Start and End? - Time and Date
