Seasons & Equinoxes

Astronomical equinox and solstice dates — computed from Jean Meeus' algorithms.

2026

🌱

Vernal Equinox

Mar 20

14:46 UTC

past

☀️

Summer Solstice

Jun 21

08:26 UTC

🍂

Autumnal Equinox

Sep 23

00:07 UTC

❄️

Winter Solstice

Dec 21

20:51 UTC

Daylight hours across 2026

Approximate — at 45°N latitude

JanAprJulOctDec

Astronomical vs meteorological seasons

Astronomical — based on Earth's position relative to the Sun. Starts at the equinox or solstice (shown above).

Meteorological — based on the annual temperature cycle. Starts on fixed dates: Dec 1 (winter), Mar 1 (spring), Jun 1 (summer), Sep 1 (autumn) in the Northern Hemisphere.

Most weather forecasting uses meteorological seasons.