What is the difference between seasons in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere?

Updated April 24, 2018

By Alan Pirie

Earth is split along two lines — the Equator running east-west and the Prime Meridian running north-south — into hemispheres. While each hemisphere, as these quarters of the earth are called, is distinct from its peers, the north-south division caused by the Equator denotes a particular shift in terms of environment, geography, and human culture. Though the Earth is a sphere suspended in space, the differences caused by this divide are hardly arbitrary — the complex factors of human settlement, weather, and ecology all feed into each other, creating a vastly different world from one hemisphere to the other.

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The Northern Hemisphere refers to the half of the planet that is north of the equator, while the Southern Hemisphere is all of the planet south of the equator. Some continents run through both hemispheres, although all of Europe and North America are in the Northern Hemisphere. Also in the Northern Hemisphere is almost all of Asia, as well as the majority of Africa (below the Horn of Africa) and approximately 10 percent of South America, above the mouth of the Amazon River. The Southern Hemisphere encapsulates all of Antarctica, the south of Asia, approximately one-third of Africa, all of Australia and approximately 90 percent of South America (below the mouth of the Amazon River). The North Pole, of course, is in the Northern Hemisphere, while the South Pole is at the most southerly part of the Southern Hemisphere.

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Summer and winter seasons differ between the two hemispheres, resulting in vastly different temperatures at the same time of year between the most southern and northern locations. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer takes place from the summer solstice (usually June 21) until the autumnal equinox (typically Sept. 21). Winter, meanwhile, takes place from the winter solstice (usually Dec. 22) until the vernal equinox (usually March 20). Summer in the Southern Hemisphere typically takes place between Dec. 22 and March 20, while the winter season typically lasts between June 21 and Sept. 21.

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Nearly 90 percent of the human population is in the Northern Hemisphere, with the rest residing in the Southern Hemisphere. The vast majority of the Earth’s land mass is also found in the Northern Hemisphere. Variations in pollution are notable between the two hemispheres, given that the Southern Hemisphere contains a much smaller population and significantly less industrialization. For that reason, there is a much higher level of pollution in the Northern Hemisphere.

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As a result of the Coriolis effect, which is the deflection of moving objects based on the Earth’s rotation, hurricanes and tropical storms rotate in a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. During the day in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will rise to its maximum point at a southerly position, because it will go with the direction of the equator (south). In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs, as the sun rises to its maximum point in a northern direction.

In northern hemisphere, winter is getting at its full speed. It will max on the eve of Winter Solstice and after that, it will start to recede.

The Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres. Therefore, as a result, if you are living in places above the equator i.e in the northern hemisphere, you get to see totally different seasons as compared to the places below the equator i.e in the southern hemisphere. In other words, seasons in the northern hemisphere are opposite to the seasons in the southern hemisphere.

For example, when there is winter in the northern hemisphere, at the same time, there is summer in the southern hemisphere. Just to mention, I am going to explain seasons in the northern hemisphere. However, you can check this article to know more about the seasons in the southern hemisphere and their bizarre consequences.

So, the question of this hour is how many seasons are there in the northern hemisphere? I mean, do we have four seasons, or do we have six seasons? Additionally, when do these seasons occur, or do their date changes every year? Most importantly, why do we observe seasons in the first place? Well, if you wanna get a detailed insight, I will suggest you stick with me till the end. Let’s dive right in…!!!

Why do we have seasons?

Just because the earth has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees, we are able to observe different seasons. In fact, the earth’s tilt is also responsible for the seasonal mismatch between the northern and the southern hemisphere. So, here is my question for you…!!! What if there was no axial tilt?

Well, if there was no axial tilt, there won’t be any season on the earth’s surface. In fact, this formula is also applicable to all of the planets in our solar system. For example, Mercury doesn’t have any axial tilt. Therefore, as a result, it does not have any seasons.

On the other hand, Neptune has an axial tilt of 28.5 degrees. Therefore, as a result, Neptune does have noticeable seasonal changes. With this, we can move on to our next question…!!!

How many seasons are there?

Frankly speaking, different cultures have different ways to define that how many seasons are there. For example, as per Indians, (I am an Indian), we have 6 seasons in a calendar year. Since a calendar year has 12 months, therefore, we allot two months to each season.

These are Late Winter (mid-Jan to mid-March), Spring (mid-March to mid-May), Summer (mid-May to mid-July), Monsoon (mid-July to mid-September), Autumn (mid-Sept to mid-Nov), and, Early Winter (mid-Nov to mid-Jan).

However, if we talk about some common ground, as per fundamentally accepted seasons, we have only four seasons in a calendar year. Again, since a calendar year has 12 months, therefore, each season lasts about three months. These are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

Definition of Seasons

There are two ways to define seasons. These are the astronomical and meteorological definitions of seasons. As per astronomy, the arrival of equinoxes and solstices marks the beginning as well as the end of the seasons in the northern hemisphere.

For example, not only March Equinox marks the official arrival of the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. But also marks the end of the winters in the northern hemisphere.

On the other hand, in meteorology, equinoxes and solstices are not considered for the seasonal definition. As per meteorological definitions, seasons start on the first day of the month. For example, the spring season in the northern hemisphere starts on March 1 and stay till May 31.

Different Seasons in Northern Hemisphere

There are four seasons that occur in earth’s northern hemisphere. These are Spring which occurs in month of March, summer in June, Autumn in September, and finally, Winter in December.

Not to mention, their start and end date change as per their astronomical and meteorological definitions. Let us get to know each one of them in detail. But before going ahead, take a look at the table given below.

Spring in Northern Hemisphere

The Vernal or simply the Spring in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of March. Not to mention, as per meteorological definition, the spring starts on March 1 and stays till May 31. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of spring occurs on the eve of March Equinox.

In 2022, March Equinox will occur on Sunday, March 20, at sharp 11:33 Eastern Standard Time (EST). On this day, the sun crosses over the imaginary celestial line from the south to the north direction. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas start to warm up rapidly. Hence, marking the end of the winters and the arrival of the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of March Equinox, daylight and nighttime hours become equal. And, with that, the day will get longer and longer with each passing day. For the people of the northern hemisphere, this process of longer days and shorter nights will go on until the arrival of the June solstice that marks the end of spring and the arrival of the summers in the earth’s northern areas.

Summer in Northern Hemisphere

The Estival or simply summer in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of June. As per meteorological definition, the summer starts on June 1 and stays till August 31. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of summer occurs on the eve of the June solstice.

In 2022, the June solstice will occur on Tuesday, June 21, at sharp 05:14 Eastern Standard Time (EST). On this day, the north pole of the earth is at its maximum tilt towards the sun. Therefore, as a result, marking the brightest as well as the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of the June solstice, for the northerners, not only the sun’s orbital path across the sky will be as high as it can, but the sun will also enter the tropic of cancer on the eve of June Solstice.

Fall in Northern Hemisphere

Autumn or simply fall in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of September. As per meteorological definition, the fall starts on September 1 and stays till November 30. However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of fall occurs on the eve of September Equinox.

In 2022, the September Equinox will occur on Thursday, September 22, at sharp 21:04 Eastern Standard Time (EST). On this day, the sun crosses over the imaginary celestial line from the north to the south direction. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas start to cool down rapidly. Hence marking the end of the summers and the arrival of the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of September Equinox, daylight and nighttime hours become equal. And, after that, days will become shorter and shorter with each passing day. For the people of the northern hemisphere, this process of shorter days and longer nights will go on until the arrival of the December solstice that marks the arrival of the winter season in Earth’s northern areas.

Winter in Northern Hemisphere

The hibernal or simply winter season in the northern hemisphere comes in the month of December. As per meteorological definition, the winter starts on December 1 and stays till February 28 (February 29 in a Leap Year). However, as per astronomical definition, the first day of winter occurs on the eve of the December Solstice.

In 2022, the December solstice will occur on Wednesday, December 21, at sharp 16:48 Eastern Standard Time (EST). On this day, the north pole of the earth is at its maximum tilt away from the sun. Therefore, as a result, the earth’s northern areas receive minimum sunlight. Hence, marking the darkest as well as the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Additionally, on the eve of the December solstice, for the northerners, not only the sun’s orbital path across the sky will be as low as it can, but the sun also enters the tropic of Capricorn on the eve of the December solstice.

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