Alexandra Jane C.

Demapanes

The Seasons

There are several natural occurrences that affect not just the meteorological
condition of a place but it most importantly affects the activities of the people living
within the areas. Some atmospheric occurrences that we are all familiar with are:
climate, weather, and seasons. And today, we are going to talk about the seasons.

We are all very familiar with the four different seasons, right? Who among
you here can name all of the four? But, why do seasons happen anyways?

The seasons result from the Earth’s axis of rotation being tilted with respect
to its orbital plane by an angle of approximately 23.4 degrees. (This tilt is also
known as “obliquity of the ecliptic.”)

In most cultures, including all western countries, the year is commonly

divided into four seasons: spring, summer, fall or autumn, and winter. Since
the year has 12 months, each season lasts about three months. However, the dates
when the seasons begin and end vary depending on whom you ask. Two methods
are most commonly used to define the dates of the seasons: the astronomical
definition and the meteorological definition.

Astronomical Definition

The astronomical seasons are the ones most of us are familiar with
because their start dates are listed on our calendar. They’re called astronomical
because, like our calendar, the dates of their occurrence are based on the position
of Earth in relation to the sun.

Seasons Position Dates

Astronomical Winter Earth’s North Pole being Begins on December 21
tilted farthest away from or 22
the sun, and the sun’s
light aiming directly at
southern latitudes
Astronomical Spring Earth’s North Pole tilt Begins on March 21 or 22
moving from its
maximum lean away from
the sun to one
equidistant from the sun,
and of the sun’s light
aiming directly at the
equator.
Astronomical Summer Earth being tilted its Begins on June 20 or 21
farthest towards the sun,
 and the sun’s light aiming
directly at north latitudes.
Astronomical Fall Earth’s tilt moving from Begins on September 21
its maximum lean or 22
towards the sun to one
equidistant from the sun,
and of the sun’s light
aiming directly at the
equator.

Meteorological Definition

The meteorological seasons (change every 3 months). Another way to

define the seasons is by grouping the twelve calendar months into four 3-month
periods based on similar temperatures.

Seasons Dates
Winter December 1 - February 28 (February 29
in a leap year)
Spring March 1 - May 31
Summer June 1 - August 31
Fall September 1 - November 30

Seasons in the Philippines

It has been pretty obvious that here, in our very own country, Philippines,
doesn’t have the four seasons that I have discussed a while ago. Remember that
seasons also vary on the location of a country on Earth.

Philippines is a country located on Southeast Asia which is near to the

equator, making this as a tropical country or tropical island. We only have two
seasons: the wet and dry seasons. Sunny or dry season starts in late November
and ends in May meanwhile, the rainy season starts in June and lasts ‘til October.

At the end of this report, I hope that you are now not just aware of the four
seasons, but most importantly know their annual cycle, and are able to explain
what causes the seasons to change. It is important for us to be aware of these
changes, because just like what I have said earlier, these natural occurrences affect
the activities of the people. If you want to go to another place or country, you
better make sure that you are aware of its current weather, climate, or season for
you to be ready.