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Verification statement: The month–season assignments above are consistent with global scientific standards as of 2026.
Whether you're planning a trip to [21] or simply curious about why your calendar says spring while it's still snowing, understanding how we define seasons is key. There are actually two "official" ways to group months into seasons: meteorological astronomical 1. The Meteorological Seasons (Weather-Based)
Meteorologists and climatologists use this system because it aligns perfectly with the 12-month Gregorian calendar
and groups months by temperature cycles [23, 24, 28]. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the most common way to track seasons: March, April, May Awakening and renewal June, July, August Warmest temperatures September, October, November Cooling and harvest December, January, February Coldest temperatures 2. The Astronomical Seasons (Sun-Based) months for the seasons verified
Astronomers define seasons based on the Earth's tilt relative to the sun. These seasons start on
, which fall around the 21st of their respective months [25]. Spring Equinox: Around March 20 [20, 25] Summer Solstice: Around June 21 [25] Autumn Equinox: Around September 22 [25] Winter Solstice: Around December 21 [25] Regional Variations
It’s important to note that seasons aren't the same everywhere. For instance, the Indian Meteorological Department Verified Verdict: For 98% of practical purposes (planning,
designates four distinct seasons based on the tropical monsoon cycle: (Dec–April), Summer/Pre-monsoon (April–June), (June–Sept), and Post-monsoon (Oct–Dec) [26]. Southern Hemisphere
, the seasons are flipped: when it is winter in the U.S. and Canada, it is summer in Australia and South America. The Old Farmer’s Almanac specific region (like gardening or travel) that depends on the seasons? The Four Seasons in Canada | Canada Summer Months - Twinkl
Astronomers define seasons by the Earth’s position relative to the Sun—specifically the solstices (longest/shortest days) and equinoxes (equal day/night). The start dates vary slightly (June 20–21, etc.), but the months dominated by each season are verified as: Rule 3: Completeness Check
Verified Verdict: For 98% of practical purposes (planning, gardening, travel), the meteorological months are the correct answer. For cultural holidays (Easter, Midwinter), the astronomical system is the authority.
This is the core of the "Verification" aspect. The system should automatically check for logical errors.
Rule 1: The Wrap-Around Rule
Rule 2: Overlap Detection
Rule 3: Completeness Check