The End of August and Meteorogical Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25797)
United States
August 31, 2023 7:53am CST
Did you know that, according to the science of meteorology, today is the last day of summer?
Apparently, meteorologists define the seasons differently from astronomers and the rest of us. For them, September 1 is the first day of Autumn, December 1 is Winter, March 1 is Spring, and June 1 is Summer.
According to NOAA, the reason for the difference is that astronomical seasons are based on the position of the sun in relationship to the equator, and meteorological seasons are based on temperature cycles. You can read more about it using the link below.
Another way to look at the seasons here in the US is based on holidays. Spring starts with Easter, Summer with Memorial Day, Autumn with Labor Day, and Winter with Thanksgiving. This makes Winter the longest season. If you ask a teacher, they'll probably tell you it truly is.
How do you count the seasons?
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/meteorological-versus-astronomical-seasons
11 people like this
12 responses
@snowy22315 (209255)
• United States
31 Aug 23
Unofficially, I think September has always been the start of fall for most. Of course next week it is going to be disgustingly hot and is probably going to feel like mid July...just super! 
. That is why I am staying in PA the first part of the week.
. That is why I am staying in PA the first part of the week.1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209255)
• United States
31 Aug 23
@DWDavis I don't plan to be back until Tuesday evening.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
31 Aug 23
Why I did not know all this no.
Happy end of August DW.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
31 Aug 23
@DWDavis It's wonderful all the stuff we don't know
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (6421)
• United States
31 Aug 23
I celebrate Meterological seasons, and this year, I began celebrating autumn a bit early, because August has been the coolest I can remember is years.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222986)
• United States
31 Aug 23
All I know is that the day is about an hour shorter in the evening; and soon it will be jacket weather, which I hate. I go along with the traditional seasons. Have a great day.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
31 Aug 23
It'll be summers here for at least 2 more months and we can expect respite in November only
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86950)
• United States
31 Aug 23
Never have understood why they have the “first day of meteorological” seasons three weeks before the astronomical season starts. It skewers the numbers. January, February, and March should be “meteorological winter” so they can’t talk about how screwy “spring” is when it snows in March.
Just my .02’s worth.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (136091)
• Marion, Ohio
31 Aug 23
I go more by meteorological I guess.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91208)
• United States
31 Aug 23
I guess I pretty much use holidays as season markers. Here we are celebrating Labor Day this weekend and I'm ready to pull out my Fall decorations and kick summer to the curb. I know it's really still a bit early to consider it Fall because the weather is still warm and it doesn't officially start for a few weeks.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24140)
• United Kingdom
31 Aug 23
We have not really had much of a nice summer here & since yesterday it feels chilly already & the nights are drawing in. It is much darker in the mornings & light evenings are shorter.
1 person likes this
@sharonelton (30756)
• Lichfield, England
31 Aug 23
Does that mean it's going to cool down now? Please say that it does! 
1 person likes this
@sharonelton (30756)
• Lichfield, England
31 Aug 23
@DWDavis Thank you very much. I hope it does cool down. Even if it cools down to the temps from August years ago at least it will be cooler than it has been here recently!
1 person likes this
