Standards: The Seasons
Seasons are major divisions of the year. The Earth's tropical and subtropical regions experience two seasons (wet, or monsoon, and dry), while its polar and temperate regions experience four (spring, summer, autumn, and winter).
Astronomical seasons change on the days the Earth is tilted closest or furthest from the sun (solstices), and those on which the sun is directly over the equator (equinoxes). In the northern hemisphere:- Astronomical spring begins on the spring equinox
- Astronomical summer begins on the summer solstice
- Astronomical autumn begins on the autumnal equinox
- Astronomical winter begins on the winter solstice
Meteorologists use whole months to identify seasons ( meteorological seasons ). In the northern hemisphere:
- Meteorological spring takes place during March, April, and May
- Meteorological summer takes place during June, July, and August
- Meteorological autumn takes place during September, October, and November
- Meteorological winter takes place during December, January, and February
The seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere.
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