3/6/22, 2:21 PM Changing seasons | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce

Changing seasons
Focus areas:
Education
Topics:
climate outlooks
,
seasons
,
education

In many parts of the United States, you might change your

wardrobe with the seasons, grabbing a heavy coat in winter, while
wearing only a light t-shirt in summer. Although ecosystems,
plants, and animals cannot adjust their attire quite so easily, they
have evolved to make changes that help them survive seasonal
conditions caused by the rotation of the Earth around the sun.

Do you know the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? Astronomical
seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun, whereas meteorological

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3/6/22, 2:21 PM Changing seasons | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle. The Earth’s annual trip around the sun forms
the basis for the astronomical calendar in which seasons are defined by two solstices and two
equinoxes. The Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis of rotation, and how the North Pole is
oriented toward or away from the sun determines two of these astronomical dates. At the winter
solstice, the North Pole is tilted away from the sun, whereas at the summer solstice, the North Pole
is tilted toward the sun. The equinoxes occur halfway between these events when the sun’s path is
aligned with the Earth’s equator. The dates shown describe the astronomical seasons for the
Northern Hemisphere in 2022; the exact dates vary slightly from year to year. Meteorological
seasons are broken down into groupings of three months in our civil calendar based on the annual
temperature cycle. We generally think of winter as the coldest time of the year and summer as the
warmest time of the year, with spring and fall being the transition seasons. In the Southern
Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed where summer occurs when the South Pole is oriented
towards the sun, and winter happens when the South Pole faces away.
(NOAA Office of
Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
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Why do we have seasons?

The Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis, which affects the distribution of the
sun’s energy across the surface of the planet. As the Earth orbits the sun every
365 ¼ days, the axis is always pointing in the same direction into space, with the
North Pole toward Polaris, the North Star. Around June 22, the Northern
Hemisphere is angled towards the sun, and receives the most direct radiation and
the most energy. This is the start of astronomical summer in the Northern
Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Six months later, in December, the Earth has completed half a revolution around
the sun. The Northern Hemisphere is now angled away from the sun and receives
less energy than the Southern Hemisphere; this is the beginning of winter in the
Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. From north to
south, the results of the distribution of solar energy can be seen in changing
vegetation, animal behaviors, temperatures, and day length.

Meteorological versus astronomical

seasons

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3/6/22, 2:21 PM Changing seasons | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

You may have noticed that meteorologists and

climatologists define seasons differently from
“regular” or astronomical spring, summer, fall, and
winter.

Astronomical and meteorological seasons

Meteorologists and climatologists use a slightly different time scale for
meteorological seasons than for astronomical winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Why do meteorological and astronomical seasons begin and end on different
dates? In short, it’s because the astronomical seasons are based on the position of
the Earth in relation to the sun, whereas the meteorological seasons are based on
the annual temperature cycle and help scientists track climate and weather trends.

The Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone 

The Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone typically begins in the
spring and persists into the summer. Springtime
floods wash fertilizers from upriver into the gulf.

Seasonal effects

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3/6/22, 2:21 PM Changing seasons | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Seasonal changes in precipitation and temperature affect soil moisture,

evaporation rates, river flows, lake levels, and snow cover. Leaves fall and plants
wither as cold and dry seasons approach.

These changes in vegetation affect the type and amount of food available for
humans and other organisms. Animals in temperate and polar regions must find
alternate food sources, move to warmer locations, or hibernate.

Beyond the big four

Though in the United States, we often think of the seasons as winter, spring,
summer, and fall, but there are many different ways seasons change throughout
the world, and even within the United States. Can you think of other annual
climate events or ways to define seasons?

Cold snaps and stunned sea turtles

Sudden cold snaps or intense, prolonged cold can be
very dangerous for sea turtles, especially during the
winter.

EDUCATION CONNECTION
What are some ways that animals adapt to seasonal changes in your region? How
does this compare to other areas? How do people adjust to the seasonal changes
in their region? How do the seasons impact the use of energy in your community?
The resources in this collection help educators encourage their students connect
their own observations of the seasons to concepts in Earth science and biology.

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3/6/22, 2:21 PM Changing seasons | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Last updated March 1, 2022

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