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When Do the Seasons Start and End in 2026?

when do the seasons start and end
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Planning activities, gardening, or just curious? Here are the start and end dates for all four seasons in 2026. This guide shows exact start and end dates for spring, summer, fall, and winter, including both astronomical and meteorological definitions.

There are two common ways to define the seasons:

  • Astronomical seasons follow the Sun’s position. Spring begins at the vernal equinox and ends the day before the summer solstice; summer begins at the summer solstice and ends before the autumnal equinox, and so on.
  • Meteorological seasons follow the calendar and average temperatures. Spring runs March 1 to May 31, summer June 1 to August 31, fall September 1 to November 30, and winter December 1 to February 28 (or 29 in leap years).

Scroll down for a quick overview chart, followed by per-season details and beginner-friendly explanations.

tree at all 4 seasons, spring, summer, fall, winter

Season Start and End Dates for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter in 2026

The table below shows all four seasons, including both astronomical and meteorological dates, for quick reference.

Seasons 2026: Astronomical and Meteorological

SeasonYearAstronomical StartAstronomical EndMeteorological StartMeteorological End
Spring2026Mar 20Jun 20Mar 1May 31
Summer2026Jun 21Sep 21Jun 1Aug 31
Fall2026Sep 22Dec 20Sep 1Nov 30
Winter2026Dec 21Mar 19, 2027Dec 1Feb 28, 2027

Crocus field in the spring

1. Spring 2026

Spring is a time of renewal, longer daylight, and gradually warming temperatures. Flowers begin to bloom, trees regain their leaves, and many animals become more active after winter. 

  • Astronomical spring starts with the vernal equinox, when day and night are roughly equal, and ends the day before the summer solstice.
  • Meteorological spring runs from March 1 to May 31, making it easy to compare seasonal weather year to year.
YearAstronomical StartAstronomical EndMeteorological StartMeteorological End
2026March 20June 20March 1May 31

Tip: Astronomical dates shift each year slightly because Earth’s orbit doesn’t perfectly match our calendar, while meteorological dates are fixed.

Sunflower and bees with a blue sky

2. Summer 2026

Summer brings the longest days, warm temperatures, and plenty of sunshine. People enjoy outdoor activities, vacations, and growing crops.

  • Astronomical summer begins with the summer solstice and ends the day before the autumnal equinox, when temperatures gradually cool and daylight starts to shorten.
  • Meteorological summer runs June 1 to August 31.
YearAstronomical StartAstronomical EndMeteorological StartMeteorological End
2026June 21September 21June 1August 31

Fun fact: Exact astronomical dates vary slightly each year and can differ by a day depending on your time zone.

Fall leaves on a country road

3. Fall 2026

Fall is marked by cooler temperatures, shorter days, and colorful leaves. Many regions celebrate harvests.

  • Astronomical fall starts with the autumnal equinox and ends the day before the winter solstice.
  • Meteorological fall runs September 1 to November 30, helping track seasonal weather patterns.
YearAstronomical StartAstronomical EndMeteorological StartMeteorological End
2026September 22December 20September 1November 30

Note: In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed—fall in the Northern Hemisphere is spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

Winter solstice sun peeking through the trees with snow

4. Winter 2026

Winter has the shortest days, longest nights, and coldest temperatures. Snow and ice are common in many regions, and daylight gradually increases after the solstice.

  • Astronomical winter starts with the winter solstice and ends the day before the vernal equinox.
  • Meteorological winter runs December 1 to February 28 (or 29 in leap years).
YearAstronomical StartAstronomical EndMeteorological StartMeteorological End
2026December 21March 19, 2027December 1February 28, 2027

Tip: The precise moment of the solstice may vary by time zone—check the Almanac Time Zone Converter for exact timing.

Why Do Seasons’ Start and End Dates Change?

The calendar is a man-made invention, and it doesn’t perfectly match Earth’s orbit. That means the exact start and end dates of astronomical seasons can shift by a day or two each year.

Leap years keep the calendar roughly in sync, but small adjustments—like skipped leap days in certain century years—still cause slight variations.

Meteorological seasons, on the other hand, follow the calendar exactly, making it easy to track weather and compare seasonal start and end dates year to year.

What Causes the Seasons?

Seasons happen because Earth is tilted as it orbits the Sun. Imagine Earth like a slightly leaning spinning top—it’s always tilted in the same direction as it moves around the Sun.

Because of this tilt:

  • Different parts of the planet get more or less direct sunlight at different times of the year.
  • When your part of the world tilts toward the Sun, it’s warmer and the days are longer—that’s summer.
  • When your part tilts away from the Sun, it’s colder and the days are shorter—that’s winter.

This is also why seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. For example, when it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which season is the shortest?

Winter is the shortest in the Northern Hemisphere, lasting about 89 days due to faster orbital speed near perihelion.

Why are there astronomical and meteorological seasons?

  • Astronomical seasons track the Sun’s position (equinoxes and solstices).
  • Meteorological seasons follow the calendar and temperature cycles for easier record-keeping.

Why do the dates of seasons change each year?

Small shifts occur because Earth’s orbit doesn’t perfectly match the calendar year. Leap years and orbital variations adjust equinox and solstice timing.

Do seasons start on the same day worldwide?

No. Astronomical events happen at the same moment globally, but seasons depend on your hemisphere. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

When do the seasons end?

Each season ends the day before the next astronomical season begins, or at the end of the meteorological months (e.g., spring ends May 31, summer ends August 31).

What’s your favorite season—and why? Let us know in the comments below!

Seasons
Sources
  1. NASA — What Causes the Seasons?
  2. National Weather Service — Why Do We Have Seasons?

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Paul Taalman</span> Tue, 10/30/2012 - 10:56
Is Dec. 21, 2012 the first day of winter 2012 or the first day of winter 2013? Didn't we go through the winter of 2012 back in January of this year? So on March 20th, 2013 (the first day of Spring 2013) will we have just finished the winter of 2012 or the winter of 2013? Please clarify. Regards, Paul
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 10/30/2012 - 17:07
As you've noticed, the winter season spans the end of one year and the beginning of the next in the Gregorian calendar. December 21, 2012, at 6:12 am EST starts the first day of winter 2012/2013 (often just listed as winter 2012). Winter 2013/2014 (winter 2013) would begin on December 21, 2013, at 12:11 pm EST. In astronomy, each year in the Northern Hemisphere can be defined as beginning with the spring (vernal) equinox in March. The summer solstice occurs in June, the autumnal equinox in September, and the winter solstice in December. Astronomically speaking, in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is defined as when the Sun reaches its greatest declination (23-1/2 degrees) south of the celestial equator, around December 21. So, winter 2012 marks the time when the first day of winter begins for 2012/2013. It's the time when the Sun reaches its southernmost declination for the year 2012.
<span>Titiadams</span> Sun, 03/09/2014 - 06:28
Thanks for the information we studied most of this in geography years ago ..but its a good reminder and people should know that it varies in different parts of the world on their standard time. Although it shows spring in many parts the snow is still there but U may see tiny shoots coming up sooner or later.
<span>Old Gardener</span> Sun, 12/01/2013 - 10:02
Okay, I'm confused. Your chart stated that the winter solstice begins at 6:03 p.m. EST, but above you say it's 12:11 EST. Which is correct? Am I missing something?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/02/2013 - 12:35

Hello, Old Gardener, Both are correct. There are two different years referenced. For the 21st of December 2013, winter begins at 12:11 pm EST.

 <span>Celtblood</span> Tue, 04/02/2013 - 18:41
If December 21st is the first day of Winter, why has it been referred to as Midwinter through the centuries? Is December 21st (or 20th, as it varies) not the point in time when the days are the shortest, with the next day being the time when the days begin to lengthen? And would this not, in turn, dictate that Winter proper actually begins in November? Would it not have to follow that Midsummer/Summer Solstice marks the high point of the Sun's energy and, after this, the shortening of our annual cycle of daylight hours through until the Midwinter/Winter Solstice, when the days begin to lengthen once again? If so, how could the Summer Solstice possibly be the beginning of Summer or the Winter Solstice possibly be the beginning of Winter? The Celts divided the year into two major halves, Winter and Summer, with the cross-quarter events being the Spring Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox. The year began on November 1st, the beginning of Winter. Midwinter was genuinely the middle of Winter, ending on the Spring Equinox as Winter began to wane and the foliage bloomed. Summer officially began on May 1st, as by this time the growing season was in full swing, with the last vestiges of the Winter season behind us. Midsummer, the longest day, was the beginning of the waning cycle, as Summer began to move toward Winter. The Autumnal Equinox (generally the approximate harvest time) marked the manifestation of the seasonal changes preceeding Winter's arrival, again on November 1st. Since agriculture was the dominant industry, this reflected the agrarian/astronomical calendar cycle, which was the basis for our modern calendars. I've addressed this before, and am still perplexed as to why anyone would insist on referring to the Winter and Summer solstices as the beginning of their respective seasons, when they clearly are not at all. These MID-Summer and MID-Winter designations are the correct astronimical divisions of the year, as they are based on the actual effect of the solar cycle on the Earth's seasons. I realise there are all these newer ideologies and theories on when the seasons begin and end (meteorlogical, temperature and regional variances, etc.), but the fact remains that Midsummer and Midwinter are precisely that-- the middle of these seasons, and not by any means the beginning. (Unless, of course, the Sun is wrong in his astronomical movements, and if so someone had better inform him.)
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 04/05/2013 - 17:09
Yes, the definition of when a season begins can vary between countries, cultures, organizations, and individuals. For example, the ancient Celts considered equinoxes and solstices (called quarter days) as the midway points of the seasons. Their cross-quarter days (halfway between quarter days) were the beginning of the seasons. Astronomically speaking, however, the seasons begin at the equinoxes and solstices, which define four unique points along Earth’s orbit, in which the Northern or Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun (summer), away from the Sun (winter), or is neutral--neither leaning toward nor away from the Sun (spring, autumn). An astronomical definition does not directly take into account what is going on within Earth’s atmosphere. Other definitions focus on how the Sun’s intensity (energy) or heat affects the surface. A meteorological definition of seasons, for example, often is based on temperature. An international meteorological definition separates the year into groups of three months: March 1 is the beginning of spring; June 1 starts summer; September 1, autumn; and December 1, winter. However, days of greatest warmth and cold (on average), or length of season, can vary by region depending on their proximity to water, latitude, prevailing winds, etc. Other seasonal definitions take into account annual responses by plants and animals. Or, define the seasons according to religious or cultural criteria. For The Old Farmer’s Almanac, because we are a calendar of the heavens, we officially use the astronomical definition. But, we certainly agree that there is more than one way to define when the seasons begin.
<span>H20Sun&Fun</span> Fri, 09/21/2012 - 10:00
Dear OFA...How do I love thee? In many countless ways! Keep on keeping on!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/12/2013 - 17:22

Aww. Shucks. We appreciate the kind words. Your obedient servant, The Old Farmer's Almanac

 <span>Doctor Stone</span> Mon, 09/17/2012 - 16:38
Great Website. 09/17/2012, Monday I initially visited this website in order to determine the exact date and time of The Autumnal Equinox, and The Winter Solstice for 2012, which [according to the valuable information available here] is 09/22/2012, Saturday and 12/21/2012, Friday. While I was here I read some other very interesting information also. This is great website with wonderful resources. Thank you. Dr. Stone / Tampa, Florida, United States.