There is no specific time when spring starts. It commences on different times in different parts of the world. However, it can be defined by the events that accompany it.

Basic Definition and Duration

This season takes place after the winter and before summer. Generally the days and nights are nearly equal.

The season commences at the spring equinox and culminates at the summer solstice. This period takes place at different times. In the Northern Hemisphere this can occur from March 21 to June 22. In the Southern Hemisphere the period starts from September 23 to December 22. The movement of the Earth and weather fluctuations are the reasons why there is no definite period when spring starts.

Signs

Although March 21 is usually defined as its starting point, the signs and indications commence days before that. One of the most conspicuous signs will be the sun itself. Regardless of the location the sun will rise earlier, by an hour or so. It will also set about an hour later than usual.

The Sun, Clouds and Air

The sun doesn’t just appear earlier, but it is also much brighter. This has an effect on the air too. As the sun gets brighter the snow dissipates. The air breezes are much stronger. Depending on the continent / region, there may be accompanying rainfall. Climate changes though, can result in occasional snowfall.

When spring starts, cloud formation will also change. The dark grey thunderclouds of winter will be replaced by cumulus clouds.

Plants and Flowers

The season is associated with plant growth and rightly. Most floras grow during this time. Annuals appear and wild onions grow as well. Most flowers, including lilac, start to blossom as well. Flowers like tulips, daffodils and pansies come to bloom as well. Some of these flowers and plants can appear as early as February.

Animal Activity

Other signs are birds. Most birds begin to create their nests. Others begin their flights, including the geese. When spring starts, another conspicuous sign are robins appearing, fluttering and flying around in gardens. Aside from robins, bluebirds also appear.

A trip to the zoo will show that animals resume their activities. In zoos you will see animals soaking up the sun. Even in your homes, dogs and cats will do the same. Going to streams and forests you’ll see animal tracks as well. From coyotes to deer, these tracks will indicate their activities have resumed.

Insects will also become more active. An increase in their activity means the winter is about to end. You’ll likely see them flying around more often.

Trees

Most of the trees start to produce flowers as well. Aside from flowers, the leaves will start to appear. In some trees the flowers would be taken over by leaves. Most of the leaves start to gain their full color at this time.

When spring starts, most cultures look at the season as a time for rebirth, marking it with festivals and celebration. As such, it is probably the most celebrated of the seasons.

The time when fall starts is between summer and winter. As with the other seasons, its commencement differs and is based on the hemisphere you are in.

Commencement Dates

In astronomical terms the season begins on September 22 up to November 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. In the United States this would cover the months of September, October and November. In the United Kingdom and other European countries, the season covers the period from August, September and October.

In the Southern Hemisphere the period is reversed. The season extends from March 22 to June 22. These dates are only approximates. For example, in Australia when fall starts it is on
March 1.

Falling Leaves

The most conspicuous sign of the season are the changing color of tree leaves. This is most apparent in Canada and the US. The phenomenon is also observed in China, Korea and several countries in East Asia. The color shifting is also prevalent in other countries like Australia, Japan and Argentina.

As the winter season approaches, the leaves start to fall. Before they do so, the colors change. The colors and hues vary, but their vividness makes them very attractive.

Harvest Time

Harvest and reaping are events associated with the period. It is not unusual that when fall starts, images of fruit gathering come to mind. The reason is that most trees and fruits attain their maximum growth at this point. Indeed, most cultures associate this season with harvest time. Throughout history there have been harvest festivals held during this time.

Another characteristic of the season are longer nights. This is indicative of the coming winter season. As such, when fall starts the mood ascribed to it can be one of melancholy. This outlook can be seen in some literary works.

Autumn or Fall

During olden times the season was just referred to as harvest time. The word “autumn” was derived from a Latin word and was first used in the 12th century. However it did not gain wide usage until the 16th century. By that time the word “fall” and “autumn” came into use. The word fall came from Britain and was carried over to the New World.

Ironically enough the term was replaced by autumn in Europe but fall remained in use in the US. Even in America though, the term “autumn” is used when discussing the matter scientifically. For laymen though, the phrase “when fall starts” is most frequently used.

Depictions in Art and Culture

Most literary works also used the word autumn instead. As stated, the mood is often subdued. In the works of Rilke and Yeats, it is associated with the end of youth. In Keats’ works the season is also noted for being a time of reflection as well.

Aside from harvest festivals, the season also marks the Halloween season. The period was also known as the Samhain, an important event among the ancient Celts. Other festivals take place at this time in other parts of the world too.

The time when fall starts has been viewed both a time for harvest and also the coming coldness of winter. Increasingly though it has come to be known worldwide for being an integral part of the cycle of seasons.

The period when summer starts is June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. It concludes on the 23rd of September. In the Southern Hemisphere it begins around December 22 and ends on March 23.

Main Characteristic

Its most conspicuous element is that days are longer and it is very warm. It is the hottest of all four seasons. The reason is that as the Earth tilts, one half (the Northern or Southern Hemisphere) is fully exposed to the sun. The result is the warm weather and climate. Depending on the region, the period may also reduce the moisture in the air. The end result is that when summer starts, the air will have a “dry” feel to it.

Different Periods

Because they are on opposite ends, the summer or hottest months in one hemisphere will be the coldest in the other. So the warm months of June, July and August in the United States are the coldest in lower South America and Australia. The metrological aspects of summer usually begin earlier than the astronomical one.

It is also worth noting that the midway point is marked by the equinoxes and solstices. This is contrary to most solstices are the beginning. Aside from the equinoxes and the solstices, special occasions mark its beginnings. This is exemplified in the US. The time when summer starts “officially” is on Memorial Day. This takes place on the final Monday of May.

Effects on Plants and Flowers

There are various signs that the season is at hand. Flowers and fruits bloom or reach their peak. Among flowers, the elderflowers emerge fully. So do the Zepherine Drouhin, a kind of rose. This flower is one of the fastest to blossom during the season.

Among plants, the Geraniums spread very quickly. They can easily cover a wide surface quite easily. The tomato grows the fastest at this time. Depending on the region it can grow several inches in a few weeks. Irises also expand rapidly.

Effect on Animals

Birds generally flourish and come together when summer starts. Blackbirds spend the time caring for and nurturing the young. It is also common to see sparrows gather at the honeysuckle. Other birds that thrive in this period are starlings. In the United States, it is common to hear robins chirping until past eight in the evening. They are usually around lilacs and other flowers which are blooming.

Trees and Foliage

In parts of the Northern Hemisphere the season can experience some rainfall. In the forests most of the animals, from coyotes to foxes and deer frolic. Usually the leaves and foliage appear in various shades.

Other Indications

In terms of human activity it is the time when people go to beaches or venture to island resorts for vacations. In cultural terms, it is the period when most people go to the movies and relax.

A lot of activities take place when summer starts. These include summer school, going on trips or other sporting events. Whatever the variations in duration, its arrival heralds a period of activity for man and nature.

The time when each season begins depends on several factors. Some of the dates adopted are based on astronomical calculations, while others for convenience.

Traditional Dates

In the Northern Hemisphere, winter officially starts on December 21, followed by spring on the 20th of March. Summer follows starting on June 20 and autumn on September 22. The dates occur on the opposite months in the Southern Hemisphere.

The abovementioned dating are widely followed. However they are not entirely accurate. While the dates given are specific, in actual fact it is not that simple. If you look at the meteorological and astronomical aspects, the seasonal periods will start and end quite differently.

Meteorological Dates

The times when each season begins are determined through changes in the weather. The earliest method was to divide the seasons according to temperature increases. The months when it started to get hot would be the start and end with the coldest.

Based on the system used by the Romans, March (spring) would be the starting point. This was followed by summer, autumn / fall and winter.

With some minor revisions, this has been followed. When using this method, spring commences on March 1 followed by summer on June 1. Autumn begins on September 1st and winter on the first of December.

Astronomical Dates

Astronomical dating is different because seasons are determined by the solstices and equinoxes. When using this method to check when each season begins, knowing something of the solstices and equinoxes is essential.

The former takes place when the Sun is farthest from the celestial equator. That would be between mid to late December and mid to late June. The solstices would be equivalent to summer and winter.

The equinoxes would be the two times when day and night are almost equal. That would be in March and September. To avoid confusion, March and September are simply referred to as the equinoxes. June and December are the solstices.

These periods are used by astronomers to mark the onset of each season. However, the solstices and equinoxes should actually mark the mid point. Although incorrect, the practice has persisted.

Dry and Monsoon Season

In tropical areas, the four seasons are not used. The time when each season begins is determined by the degree of rain or heat. In these regions, the season is divided by the rainy and dry season. The rainy season goes on from June to December. The rest of the year it is dry. The hottest months are usually March to May.

Indications

From ancient times to the present, the seasons have had profound effects on animals and plants. Generally speaking, flowers and plants start to grow in the spring. They reach their peak in summer.

Animal activity also is at its highest in spring and summer. As autumn approaches animals begin to stock up on food or prepare for hibernation, and leaves start to fall off. This will be followed by winter, and the cycle will start again.

The times when each season begins and ends has always fascinated people. It has become the subject of myths, stories and poems. It shouldn’t be surprising because in a way it reflects the cycle of life and death.

The first day of summer occurs on different dates. But whatever the differences in time and location, it always heralds the arrival of the warmest days of the year.

The Dates

It should be stressed that there is no official day when it begins. The ones that are being used are for convenience, due to tradition or meteorological reasons. In the US and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, the season begins on June 20. In Europe that date is also used as the starting point (although some prefer June 21).

In the Southern Hemisphere it is on December 21. In Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, the season starts on March 1.

Meteorologists use a different date to find the first day of summer. They calculate it based on the changes in the weather. Both American and European meteorologists state that May 1 is the time. However there are some who believe that it starts on June 1.

Even during ancient times there were no fixed points on when the season began. Although the ancients paid close attention to solstices and equinoxes, no specific date was set when each season began. However the Romans started their year in March, which they viewed as springtime. Summer followed in June, which is what the countries in the Northern Hemisphere use.

High Temperatures

Regardless of when the first day of summer is, the signs are unmistakable. Unlike spring or autumn, summer occurs in most parts of the world. It is also characterized by heat. This isn’t because the Earth has drawn nearer to the Sun. The reason is that the Earth tilts as it spins. When that happens, the Northern or Southern Hemisphere becomes fully exposed to the Sun. The end results are higher temperatures.

How it Affects Wildlife

One of the most conspicuous signs of the season are the emergence of birds. Blackbirds, sparrows and robins spend their time nurturing offspring and building nests. Starlings, woodpeckers and other birds make their presence felt more prominently. Because of the prevailing conditions, it isn’t unusual to hear them chirping well into the nighttime. Bears, deer and other animals in the forests also start to resume their normal activities.

Flowers

The first day of summer signify the time when flowers start to bloom fully. Different regions produce different types of course. In countries at the Northern Hemisphere it isn’t unusual to see roses, elderflowers and various plants emerge.

Among fruits and vegetables, tomatoes grow rapidly during this time. The reason is obvious; plants and flowers get their sustenance from the Sun. It shouldn’t therefore be surprising that they reach their peak at this point.

Human Activities

In Western cultures, summertime has become a period for fun and leisure. It is when kids go on vacation and head to the movies. It’s also the time when trips to beaches and other countries are conducted. Portrayals in TV, movies and books have turned it into a time for adventure, romance and good times.

The first day of summer can mean many things. You can look at it as just another day. But for most, it’s become a time for pure enjoyment.