You might notice that while June 21 is the official start of summer, the hottest days usually happen in July and August. This is because the Earth (specifically the oceans and land) takes time to absorb and release that solar heat. This is known as "thermal lag."
Note: All dates listed above refer to the Northern Hemisphere. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, simply swap the dates (e.g., our Winter Solstice is your Summer Solstice). when do the four seasons start and end
When defining the start and end of seasons, there are two main systems: and Meteorological . Most people follow the astronomical calendar for "official" start dates, while scientists use the meteorological system for easier record-keeping. 1. Astronomical Seasons (2026 Dates) You might notice that while June 21 is