CalendarWorld
Seasons around the world in 2026: the four temperate seasons — spring, summer, autumn, and winter — run opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, while countries near the equator have wet and dry seasons instead, and deserts swing between a hot and a cool season. The astronomical seasons turn at the 2026 equinoxes (20 March and 23 September) and solstices (21 June and 21 December), all UTC; meteorological seasons follow whole calendar months. See the current season and seasonal pattern for all 65 countries on CalendarWorld.
Temperate regions away from the equator have four seasons. Because of Earth's axial tilt they are reversed between the hemispheres — it is summer in one while it is winter in the other.
Days lengthen and temperatures climb after winter; trees blossom and the growing season begins.
The warmest season, with the longest daylight hours around the summer solstice.
Temperatures cool and days shorten; deciduous leaves turn colour and fall.
The coldest season, with the shortest daylight hours around the winter solstice.
| Season | Meteorological | Astronomical 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | 20 Mar – 21 Jun |
| Summer | June – August | 21 Jun – 23 Sep |
| Autumn | September – November | 23 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Winter | December – February | 21 Dec – 20 Mar |
| Season | Meteorological | Astronomical 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | September – November | 23 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Summer | December – February | 21 Dec – 20 Mar |
| Autumn | March – May | 20 Mar – 21 Jun |
| Winter | June – August | 21 Jun – 23 Sep |
Meteorological seasons follow whole calendar months; astronomical seasons begin at the equinoxes and solstices, so the two differ by about three weeks. Astronomical dates are for 2026 in UTC — see the astronomy calendar for the exact equinox and solstice times.
Near the equator the temperature barely changes through the year, so the calendar is defined by rainfall instead. A wet (rainy) season alternates with a drier season — for example, Indonesia's wet season runs roughly October–April. Some countries, such as Kenya, have two rainy seasons.
Desert climates swing between a long, intensely hot summer and a short, mild winter, with very little rain in between. The Gulf states and Egypt follow this pattern, so their comfortable travel window is the cool season (roughly November–March).
Every country on CalendarWorld grouped by its seasonal pattern. Open a country to see its seasons, month ranges, and current season.
Spring (Mar–May), summer (Jun–Aug), autumn (Sep–Nov), and winter (Dec–Feb).
The mirror image: summer (Dec–Feb), autumn (Mar–May), winter (Jun–Aug), and spring (Sep–Nov).
Warm all year, with a rainy (wet) season and a drier season rather than four temperate seasons.
A long, very hot summer season and a short, mild cool season, with little rainfall.
Because of Earth's axial tilt. When the Northern Hemisphere leans toward the Sun (around the June solstice) it is summer in the north and winter in the south, and the reverse happens around the December solstice. That is why December–February is winter in Europe but summer in Australia.
Meteorological seasons group whole calendar months for record-keeping — in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is June, July, and August. Astronomical seasons begin at the equinoxes and solstices, so in 2026 Northern spring starts on 20 March and summer on 21 June. The two definitions differ by roughly three weeks.
Generally no. Near the equator temperatures stay high all year, so instead of spring, summer, autumn, and winter these countries have a wet (rainy) season and a dry season. For example, Indonesia's wet season runs roughly October–April and its drier months May–September.
At the equinoxes and solstices (UTC): the March equinox on 20 March, the June solstice on 21 June, the September equinox on 23 September, and the December solstice on 21 December.
It depends on the hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere the meteorological seasons are winter (Dec–Feb), spring (Mar–May), summer (Jun–Aug), and autumn (Sep–Nov); the Southern Hemisphere is exactly the opposite. The live indicator near the top of this page shows today's season for each hemisphere.
Because roughly 87% of the world's people live in the Northern Hemisphere, where summer falls in June–August. International schedules tend to follow that majority, even though it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time.
Season dates are based on standard meteorological and astronomical definitions; tropical wet/dry and desert hot/cool windows are approximate and vary by region and year. For exact equinox and solstice times see the astronomy calendar, and for public holidays browse the country holiday calendars.
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CalendarWorld provides official public holiday calendars, long weekends, and seasonal information for 65 countries. All holiday data is compiled and verified from official government sources. See the data sources and about pages.