Spring
- Day and night are equal at the equinox, and over the following months the days lengthen quickly.
- Flowers bloom and trees turn green; migratory birds return north.
- Snow melts and rivers rise; the soil is made ready for sowing.
Seasons and nature
The year turns like a wheel: which season are we in, how many days to the next one, when does the sun rise and set, and what phase is the Moon? All on one page for your location or a province you choose.
The sun today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Day length
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- Solar noon
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The Moon
Day length through the year
Season start dates
| Year | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 March 17:45 | 21 June 11:24 | 23 September 03:05 | 21 December 23:50 |
| 2027 | 20 March 23:24 | 21 June 17:10 | 23 September 09:01 | 22 December 05:42 |
| 2028 | 20 March 05:17 | 20 June 23:01 | 22 September 14:45 | 21 December 11:20 |
| 2029 | 20 March 11:01 | 21 June 04:48 | 22 September 20:37 | 21 December 17:14 |
| 2030 | 20 March 16:51 | 21 June 10:31 | 23 September 02:27 | 21 December 23:09 |
| 2031 | 20 March 22:41 | 21 June 16:17 | 23 September 08:15 | 22 December 04:56 |
Nature through the seasons
Summer
- The longest day of the year falls on the summer solstice.
- The sea and the soil warm up, and the season for fruit and vegetables peaks.
- Short nights and clear skies make this the best time to watch the Milky Way.
Autumn
- Day and night become equal again, and the days begin to shorten.
- Leaves change colour and fall; birds such as storks and cranes migrate south.
- It is harvest time: grapes, walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts are gathered.
Winter
- The shortest day of the year falls on the winter solstice, after which the days lengthen again.
- Many animals hibernate and plants go dormant.
- Snow in the mountains stores the water for spring and summer.
Why do we have seasons?
Seasons are caused by the Earth's rotation axis being tilted by about 23.4° relative to its orbit around the Sun, not by its distance from the Sun.
When the axis leans toward the Sun, that hemisphere gets more direct light and longer days, and it is summer. When it leans away, it is winter.
At the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September) day and night are almost equal; at the solstices (around 21 June and 21 December) the day is the longest or the shortest.
Frequently asked questions
When do the seasons start?
Astronomically, spring starts around 20 March, summer on 21 June, autumn on 22-23 September and winter on 21 December. The exact moments shift by a few hours from year to year; see the table above.
What is the difference between astronomical and meteorological seasons?
Astronomical seasons are based on the equinoxes and solstices, while meteorological seasons use whole calendar months (March to May is spring, for example). The latter makes climate records easier to keep.
How does day length change?
Day length grows from the winter solstice to the summer solstice and then shortens again. The change is fastest around the equinoxes, by a few minutes a day, and almost still at the solstices.
How is the Moon's phase calculated?
The phase comes from the time since the previous new moon as a fraction of the lunar cycle (about 29.5 days). New moon and full moon times are calculated with astronomical formulas to within a few minutes.