Many parts of the world have four seasons, each one with its special characteristics and landscapes, with colors and patterns of weather. I am talking about spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In Europe, we have all of them in different periods of the year but not all countries have seasons. Why we have seasons?

NASA explains this question. The short explanation is that Earth’s axis doesn’t stand up straight. The axis is an imaginary pole going right through the center of Earth from “top” to “bottom”. Throughout the year, different parts of Earth receive the Sun’s most direct rays. So, when the North Pole tilts toward the Sun, it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And when the South Pole tilts toward the Sun, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Looking at other countries that celebrate different year events having a different season than ours, we are asking how this could be possible. For example, Christmas can be celebrated on the beach. Did you guess the country I am talking about? Australia is the right answer. The Earth’s middle doesn’t tilt so much, that’s why in Australia is summer when in Europe, for example, is winter. Countries which are near to the equator – the line which goes around the middle of the earth – have very mild seasons. The weather stays almost the same temperature all year round.

Each season comes with different state weather: rain, high temperature, snow. Alongside this, nature changes its cloak too. We have three months for each season, demarcated by the value of temperature. The warmest three months belong to summer, the coldest three months to winter, and the intervening gaps belong to spring and autumn.

Because we already know that countries feel each season in different months of the year, I will bring to the forefront a brief comparative analysis. Spring announces the end of winter and it is considered the most beautiful season because of the bloom it occurs in nature, we could say a rebirth of nature. In Europe spring is associated with March, April, and May months while in New Zealand and Australia it begins in September. Season’s changing is felt in days and nights too. What does it mean? In spring, it means that daytime length increasing and nighttime length decreasing as the season progresses. The dating start of every season may vary according to local climate and specific weather or biological indicators, such as the blossoming of a range of plant species.

Summer has been characterized as the hottest season with long days and short nights. During this season occurs the earliest sunrise and latest sunset. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, tradition, and culture. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa. June, July and August are the summer months for Northern Hemisphere, while December, January, and February are for the Southern Hemisphere (countries as Brasilia, Australia). Summer brings the idea of “taking a break” from the daily routine. It is the time when most people are taking holidays and travel to different places. It is like charging your batteries with the positive energy of beautiful sunny days. 

Autumn is one of the temperate seasons and has the role to mark the transition from summer to winter. It starts from September in Northern Hemisphere and from March in Southern Hemisphere. The first change we notice when autumn starts is the duration of daylight; it becomes shorter and the temperature cools notably. Also, we see considerable changes in nature too: the blooming of autumn flowers, color change in leaves, the fall of brown leaves from the trees. From poetry,we know that this season is associated with melancholy because of its personal qualities: grey sky, cold weather, wind, rain, and so on. In the Northern Hemisphere, there are two strong associations with autumn. The first is the end of the summer holiday and the start of a new school year (especially for children in primary and secondary education) and the second is Halloween celebrated on 31^st of October.

The last season is the coldest one but at the same time, is the season with the most amazing landscape when snow is present. Winter begins in December in Northern Hemisphere and in June in Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, South Africa). Winter is characterized by snow, freezing temperatures, long nights, and less daylight in comparison with other seasons. In some regions, there is a very high rate of precipitation during this season.In Europe, during winter holidays, there is a magic atmosphere created by Christmas preparations and decorations.

Every season has its beauty, with a magic atmosphere and decor changes. In these four seasons, we have a wonderful chance to see how nature changes his coat, with a new one in the same way we are changing our clothes when it is summer or winter. Even if we know what coat nature will have, the time won’t be the same. The last summer won’t be the same with this one or with the future one. This is the beauty of seasons: you know the coat, but not the experiences you will live.

Angela Gabor

Sources:
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter