Earth's seasons — winter, spring, summer and autumn(or fall) — are caused by the yearly revolution of the Earth in its orbit around the sun and the planet's tilt. When the Northern Hemisphere is pointed toward the sun, it is summer, and when it is pointed away, it is winter (and vice versa for the Southern Hemisphere). Summer and winter are heralded by their respective solstices, while spring and fall begin at an equinox, when the sun crosses Earth's equator and night day are roughly equal length. Below, our stories that relate to Earth's seasons and the ways they affect us.
Latest about earth seasons
Why doesn’t the autumnal equinox fall on the same day each year?
The day of this year's equinox may not be the same as last year's. Why?
In which month are the most babies born?
Which of the 12 months has the most births? And why do babies tend to be born at certain times of the year?
Why do we shiver when we're cold?
If the surface of your skin gets too chilly, the brain sets into motion a series of warming tricks such as shivering.
Autumn: The cooling-off season
Reference Discover more about the season where the leaves turn red and the temperature drops.
Summer: The warmest season
Reference Everything you ever wanted to know about summer, the hottest season of the year.
Spring: The season of new beginnings
Reference Springtime brings warmer temperatures and a rebirth as nature reawakens.
Winter: The coldest season
Reference Winter, the coldest season of the year, comes between autumn and spring. It is associated with plunging temperatures and icy weather, but its impact and timing change according to location.
The four seasons of the year: spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter
Reference Seasons are periods of the year with distinct weather conditions and day lengths. Earth's four seasons are spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter.
