Season Countdown
Find out exactly how long until the next season
Autumn begins on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 00:22 UTC
Seasons are shown using astronomical dates (solstices and equinoxes). Meteorological seasons start on fixed calendar dates (1 March, 1 June, etc.).
How it works
There are two common ways to define the seasons. Astronomical seasons are based on Earth's position relative to the Sun — they begin at the solstices and equinoxes, when day length reaches its extremes or when day and night are roughly equal. Meteorological seasons, used by most weather services, divide the year into neat three-month blocks: spring from 1 March, summer from 1 June, autumn from 1 September, and winter from 1 December. This countdown uses astronomical dates because they mark precise, observable moments in Earth's orbit.
Solstices and equinoxes are not fixed calendar dates. They occur when the Sun crosses certain points in the sky — the equator for equinoxes, and the Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn for solstices. Clockr calculates these moments using standard astronomical formulas (based on Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms), which account for Earth's elliptical orbit and the gravitational pull of the Moon and other planets. That is why the March equinox might fall on 19, 20, or 21 March depending on the year, and why the exact time shifts by a few minutes each year.
Seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. When the Northern Hemisphere experiences the June solstice and its longest day, the Southern Hemisphere has its shortest day and the start of astronomical winter. Likewise, the December solstice brings summer to the south and winter to the north. This page counts down to the astronomical season starts as observed from the Northern Hemisphere perspective, which is how most English-language references define spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Frequently asked questions
When does spring start?
Astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere begins at the March equinox (vernal equinox), when the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. This usually falls around 20 March, though the exact date and time vary slightly each year. Meteorological spring, used by weather forecasters, always starts on 1 March.
What is the difference between astronomical and meteorological seasons?
Astronomical seasons begin at solstices and equinoxes — precise points in Earth's orbit around the Sun. Meteorological seasons use fixed calendar dates: 1 March (spring), 1 June (summer), 1 September (autumn), and 1 December (winter). Weather services prefer meteorological seasons because they align with monthly climate records. Astronomical seasons match what you see in the sky: the longest and shortest days, and equal day and night.
When is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around 21 June each year, when the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun and the day is longest. The exact date and time shift by a few hours from year to year — select Summer above to see the precise countdown and UTC time for the next summer solstice.
When is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere falls around 21 December, when the North Pole is tilted farthest from the Sun and the night is longest. Like other solstices and equinoxes, the exact moment varies slightly each year. Select Winter above for the live countdown to the next winter solstice.
Why do the seasons start on different dates each year?
Astronomical season starts depend on Earth's exact position in its orbit, which is affected by the elliptical shape of the orbit, leap years, and gravitational interactions with the Moon and planets. A tropical year (the time between successive March equinoxes) is about 365.2422 days, not a whole number of calendar days, so equinox and solstice times drift within a one- or two-day window on the calendar.
Are the seasons reversed in the Southern Hemisphere?
Yes. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere (around the June solstice), it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa at the December solstice. The March equinox marks the start of autumn in the south and spring in the north. This countdown follows the Northern Hemisphere convention used in most UK and US references.