In most cultures, including all Western countries, the year is divided into four seasons:
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn or Fall
- Winter
Since the year has 12 months, each season lasts about three months. However, the dates on which the seasons begin and end vary, depending on whom you ask. Two methods are most commonly used to determine the seasons: the astronomical definition and the meteorological definition.
Astronomical seasons
The astronomical definition uses the dates of the equinox and solstice to mark the beginning and end of the seasons:
- Spring begins with the vernal equinox;
- Summer begins with the summer solstice;
- Autumn begins with the autumnal equinox; and
- Winter begins with the winter solstice.
Meteorological seasons
According to the meteorological definition, the seasons begin on the first day of the months in which the equinoxes and solstices occur. In the Northern Hemisphere, for example,
- Spring lasts from March 1 to May 31;
- Summer lasts from June 1 to August 31;
- Autumn lasts from September 1 to November 30; and
- Winter lasts from December 1 to February 28 (February 29 in a leap year).
The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, according to the definition of astronomical seasons, the June solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the beginning of winter. The same rule applies to the other seasons.
The meteorological seasons in the southern hemisphere are also opposite to those in the northern hemisphere:
- Spring begins on September 1 and ends on November 30;
- Summer begins on December 1 and ends on February 28 (February 29 in a leap year);
- Autumn begins on March 1 and ends on May 31; and
- Winter begins on June 1 and ends on August 31;
SPRING
Spring is the transitional period between winter and summer, when the days get longer, temperatures warm up and plants bloom in time for summer.
When is spring?
Spring in the meteorological calendar is the season that begins in March and ends in May. Astronomically, spring usually begins on the day of the vernal equinox, which occurs in the Northern Hemisphere around March 20. The equinox is the time when the sun’s orbit crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length, each lasting about 12 hours.
The onset of spring is one of the most distinct transitions between seasons, as days grow longer and temperatures rise. Sometimes, without knowing it, we define the seasons phenologically. This refers to biological indicators, especially the flowering or emergence of certain plants or the activities of certain animals. The origin of the term vernal equinox also alludes to this, as “vernal” comes from the Latin vernus, meaning flowering.
What is the weather like in spring?
The weather is often calm and dry in spring, as the Atlantic Ocean loses heat in autumn and winter, resulting in less heat and moisture being released into the atmosphere. The sun is high in the sky in spring, which means temperatures can rise during the day while remaining cool at night due to the moderating effect of sea temperature.
Spring temperatures are largely dependent on latitude, with northern parts experiencing cooler temperatures than lower latitudes and the south experiencing warmer temperatures.
The first thing we all love about spring is that it’s warmer and you can spend more time outside. “The weather is warmer and the trees are getting leaves.” “It’s nice to spend more time outside.” Spring is a great time to do things outside – enjoy the long evenings, barbecue, or take a walk in the park.
During the transition from cooler to warmer temperatures in spring, the air around us warms. This results in a particularly wet spring in the Northern Hemisphere due to a combination of ideal temperature conditions, proximity to mountain ranges, and prevailing winds.
Why is spring called springtime?
Not surprisingly, spring takes its name from the verb “spring”. It is a reference to the flowers and plants that spring up, open and are in full bloom. Before that, the word “Lent” was used to describe the season.
Which is colder: spring or fall? Why?
Spring is colder in most places, but in places where the peak annual temperature is in June or December, spring is usually warmer. I think spring is colder because you’re just coming out of winter, so it’s probably colder because the environment is getting EQUALLY warmer from the cold, so it’s still cool outside. In the fall, you’re coming out of summer, a hot season, and the environment is still pretty hot from the previous season, so fall is warmer than spring. Spring is still nicer in my opinion.
What color represents spring?
Green is generally associated with nature, as it is associated with grass, plants and trees. It also represents growth and renewal, as it is the color of spring and rebirth.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please drop a comment below.
Are you curious about languages? Find out who knows the most languages, here.
Credit:
