While calendars indicate winter starts on December 21, meteorologists consider winter to begin on December 1. This difference arises from the use of meteorological seasons, which align seasons with typical temperature changes rather than Earth's rotation. The meteorological system divides seasons into three-month blocks, aiding in weather statistics calculation and comparisons with previous years. An astronomical calendar, marked by solstices and equinoxes, defines seasons differently.
Calendars across the Northern Hemisphere say winter will begin on Dec. 21, but for meteorologists, the start of the season happens three weeks earlier on Dec. 1.The reason behind the discrepancy is that weather experts follow what’s called meteorological seasons, while others use the astronomical calendar to signify the change.
Meteorologists and climatologists break down the seasons based on when temperatures typically change, not the status of Earth’s rotation.Under the meteorological season scheme, the four seasons are each allotted three months, making it easier to calculate statistics and compare weather conditions to previous years.The rotation of Earth around the Sun and the planet’s tilt make the basis for the astronomical calendar.WEAK LA NIÑA EXPECTED TO EMERGE SOON AND LAST INTO SPRINGThe astronomical changing of the seasons is marked by either a solstice or an equinox.The summer and winter solstices occur when the Northern Hemisphere is at its maximum tilt toward or away from the Sun, respectively.When Earth’s axis isn’t tilted in favor of either direction, it’s referred to as an equinox, or the start of spring or fall.WINTER OUTLOOK: LA NIÑA SET TO EMERGE, UNLEASHING LARGE SWING POTENTIAL FOR MORE SNOW, FRIGID TEMPERATURESThe days that the solstices and equinoxes fall on vary year-by-year because Earth takes slightly more than 365 days to revolve around the Sun, hence why you’ll see slight adjustments in the changing of the astronomical seasons.NOAA says meteorological seasons were developed because of the ever-changing dates produced by the astronomical calendar.So when the calendar switches over to December, don’t be shocked if your favorite FOX Weather meteorologist is welcoming everyone to winter.FARMERS ALMANACS ISSUE DUELING WINTER OUTLOOKS: ‘GENTLER’ OR ‘WHIRLWIND’?Meteorological winter starts on Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 28, which tends to be a better fit for the coldest time of the year than astronomical winter.Read more from FOX Weather
WINTER METEOROLOGY CALENDAR TEMPERATURE CHANGES WEATHER STATISTICS
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