Seasons on Earth

Autumnal Equinox
When Earth has covered one-fourth of its trip around the sun, that is, during the months of August, September, and October, Earth experiences almost equal hours of daytime and nighttime. In this season, autumnal equinox or equal daytime and nighttime occurs.

Winter Solstice
When Earth is halfway of its journey around the sun, the Northern Hemisphere receives less intense heat from the sun, and thus experiences longer hours of darkness and shorter hours of daylight. This condition is called winter solstice. On the other hand, the Southern Hemisphere has longer hours of daytime than nighttime.

Spring Equinox
When Earth has traveled three-fourths of its way around the sun, Earth again receives equal hours of daylight and darkness. This is called vernal or spring equinox.

Spring and Autumn
Spring and autumn are the two seasons that occur when Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun. Days and nights of equal length are experienced by both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Spring occurs before summer, while autumn occurs before winter. During springtime, new sprouts of leaves and flowers are seen on the branches of trees. During autumn, leaves turn into beautiful shades of red and brown before falling from trees.

Countries located in Europe, North America, Central America, and parts of Asia, South America, and Africa are in the Northern Hemisphere and experience winter that lasts from the winter solstice (December 21) to the spring equinox (March 20) and summer that lasts from the summer solstice (June 21) to the autumnal equinox (September 23). In the Southern Hemisphere, the continents of Antarctica and Australia, as well as parts of Asia, South America, and Africa, experience summer from December to March and winter from June to September. The cycle of the seasons is repeated as Earth revolves around the sun.