The Astronomical vs. Meteorological Seasons

The Astronomical vs. Meteorological Seasons If someone asked you when each of the seasons occurs, how would you respond?  Your answer may depend on whether you think of the seasons  in a more traditional, or  a more weather-related way. Astronomical Seasons Change at the Equinoxes and Solstices The astronomical seasons are the ones most of us are familiar with because  their  start dates are  listed on our calendars. Theyre called astronomical because, like our calendar, the  dates of their occurrence are based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere: Astronomical winter is a result of Earths north pole being tilted its farthest away from the sun,  and the suns light aiming directly at southern latitudes. It begins on December 21-22.  Astronomical spring is a result of Earths north pole tilt moving from its maximum lean  away from the sun to one equidistant from the sun,  and of the suns light aiming directly at the equator. It begins on March 21-22.  Astronomical summer is a result of Earth being tilted its farthest towards  the sun, and the suns light aiming directly at north latitudes. It begins on June 20-21.Astronomical fall is a result of Earths tilt moving from its maximum lean  towards the sun to one  equidistant from the sun,  and of the suns light  aiming directly at the equator. It begins on September 21-22. Meteorological Seasons Change Every 3 Months Another  way to define  the seasons is by grouping the twelve calendar months into four 3-month periods based on  similar temperatures. In the Northern Hemisphere: Meteorological winter  begins on December 1. It includes the months of  December, January, and February (DJF)Meteorological spring  begins on March 1 and includes the months of  March, April, and May  (MAM).Meteorological summer  begins on June 1. It includes the months of  June, July, and August (JJA).Meteorological fall  begins on September 1 and includes the months of  September, October, and November (SON). Meteorologists didnt implement this classification just for the heck of it. Rather, they prefer to deal with data from whole rather than fractions of months, and align calendar dates more closely with the temperatures felt during that period, the scheme (which has been around since the early- to mid-1900s) allows weather scientists  to more easily compare weather patterns from one season to another something the astronomical convention makes cumbersome due to seasonal lag (the delay in seasonal temperatures settling in). Which Set of Seasons Wins Out? The astronomical seasons are the more traditional way of defining our four seasons. Although folks may not be used to the meteorological way, in a lot of ways its the more natural scheme for how we live our lives today. Gone are the days when we pore over the happenings of the celestial heavens and organize our lives accordingly. But organizing our lives around months and similar stretches of temperatures is more true to our modern reality.