Did you know that seasons are not the same for everyone? Have you ever heard of the six-season calendar?
Yes, the dates of when spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter begin and end depend on anyone's perspective and nationality.
It is fair to recognize, though, that each season has its specific weather pattern, average air temperature, and length of daylight; nature also changes accordingly.
However, seasons aren't the same for meteorologists, astronomers, people living in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemispheres, and South Asian citizens.
But why is that the case? The most widely used civil calendar on the planet is the Gregorian calendar.
And for a large number of countries that have adopted them, the beginning and end of seasons take place based on astronomical timings.
Two, Four, and Six Season Calendars
As a result, nowadays, the most common spring and fall/autumn equinox dates are March 20 (spring) and September 22 or 23 (fall/autumn).
The most common summer and winter solstice dates are June 21 (summer) and December 21 (winter), with the summer solstice being the longest day of the year and the winter solstice being the shortest day of the year.
That's the four-season calendar.
However, when it comes to defining the beginning and the end of seasons, not all countries adopt a universal standard.
You'll find Northern and Southern Hemisphere nuances, as well as regional and national differences.
In Australia and New Zealand, each season starts on the first day of the calendar month.
They follow the meteorological method instead of the astronomical method adopted in North America and Europe - based on surface air temperatures.
In South Asia, the scenario changes dramatically.
Many nations adopt a six-season calendar that comprises spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, early winter/late autumn, and late winter/winter.
Last but not least, a few tropical countries adopted two seasons: the monsoon, the wet or rainy season, and the dry season.
In conclusion, only North America and Europe set a Universal Time (UT) for the start and end of their four seasons, even if it has occasionally been realigned in leap years.
When do spring, summer, fall, and winter start and end?
Seasons Throughout the World | Start and End Time and Dates (2024/2025)
North America & Europe (Except Ireland and Russia) | Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
- Spring 2024: March 20 (3:07 am) > June 20 (8:50 pm)
- Summer 2024: June 20 (8:51 pm) > September 22 (12:43 pm)
- Fall/Autumn 2024: September 22 (12:44 pm) > December 21 (9:19 am)
- Winter 2024/2025: December 21 (9:20 am) > March 20 (9:01 am)
- Spring 2025: March 20 (9:02 am) > June 21 (2:41 am)
- Summer 2025: June 21 (2:42 am) > September 22 (6:19 pm)
- Fall/Autumn 2025: September 22 (6:20 pm) > December 21 (3:02 pm)
Ireland & Russia
- Spring: March 1 > May 31
- Summer: June 1 > August 31
- Fall/Autumn: September 1 > November 30
- Winter: December 1 > February 28/29
Australia & New Zealand
- Spring: September 1 > November 30
- Summer: December 1 > February 28/29
- Fall/Autumn: March 1 > May 31
- Winter: June 1 > August 31
South Asia
Hindu Season
- Spring (Vasanta): Mid-March > Mid-May
- Summer (Greeshma): Mid-May > Mid-July
- Monsoon (Varsha): Mid-July > Mid-September
- Autumn (Sharad): Mid-September > Mid-November
- Early Winter (Hemanta): Mid-November > Mid-January
- Late Winter (Shishira): Mid-January > Mid-March
Bengali
- Spring (Bosonto): Mid-February > Mid-April
- Summer (Grishmo): Mid-April > Mid-June
- Monsoon (Borsha): Mid-June > Mid-August
- Autumn (Shorot): Mid-August > Mid-October
- Late Autumn (Hemonto): Mid-October > Mid-December
- Winter (Sit): Mid-December > Mid-February
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com