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Summer

earth science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Summer is the hottest and brightest of the four seasons. It arrives after spring and ends when autumn begins. This season is special because the days are very long. The sun rises earlier and sets later than at any other time. The middle of the season is the summer solstice. This is the day with the most sunlight.

Inari, Finland - panoramio (5)
Inari, Finland - panoramio (5)

In the polar regions, the sun might not even set at midnight. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This happens because the two halves of our world experience different seasons at once.

There are different ways to decide when summer starts. One way is called the meteorological definition. This method uses the calendar to set seasons. In the northern hemisphere, summer includes June, July, and August. In the southern hemisphere, it includes December, January, and February. Many countries like Japan, Russia, and Denmark use this way.

Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This method is helpful because it groups the warmest months together. It also matches the time when daylight is most common. Other people use the summer solstice to mark the middle of the season.

History shows that people have always tracked the summer months. In the ancient Roman world, the Julian calendar said summer began on 9 May. Its middle point was the summer solstice on 24 June. In Anglo-Saxon England, summer also started on 9 May. People in England called 24 June Midsummer Day.

Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011
Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011

In parts of Europe, summer began with May Day. In Wales, the festival of Calan Haf marked the start. These traditions helped people know when the warm weather was coming. Different cultures used different festivals to celebrate the changing seasons.

Summer weather can change a lot depending on where you live. In some places, like the Mediterranean, the weather stays very dry. In other areas, like Eastern Asia, summer brings the monsoon. A monsoon is a season of heavy rain and wind.

Darwin thunderstorm
Darwin thunderstorm

In the Atlantic Ocean, summer is also a time for tropical cyclones. These are large and powerful storm systems. One example is Hurricane Ida from August 2021.

Ida 2021-08-29 1321Z
Ida 2021-08-29 1321Z

In the United States, summer can also bring thunderstorms with hail or tornadoes. These storms often happen in the afternoon or evening.

Because the weather is warm, summer is a busy time for people. Many children get a summer break from school. In the United States, public schools often end in late May. In Russia, the holiday starts at the end of May and lasts until 31 August.

Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011
Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011

Many families use this time to travel or go swimming. People enjoy sports like soccer, baseball, and tennis. The music and film industries also release many new hits during this time. Even the modern Olympics are often held during the summer months.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Inari, Finland - panoramio (5).jpg
Inari, Finland - panoramio (5).jpg
File:Darwin thunderstorm.jpg
Darwin thunderstorm.jpg
File:Ida 2021-08-29 1321Z.jpg
Ida 2021-08-29 1321Z.jpg
File:Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011.jpg
Biokúpalisko Sninské rybníky 011.jpg
File:Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.jpg
Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Myrtle Beach,...
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