Seasons

There are four seasons in a year — spring, summer, fall, and winter — and each one brings different weather and changes in nature.

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Definition

A season is a time of year that has its own kind of weather. Earth travels around the Sun all year long, and as it does, different parts of Earth get more or less sunlight. This causes the weather to change in a pattern we call the four seasons.

Remember the rule

Spring → Summer → Fall → Winter → Spring again! The seasons always go in this same order, every single year.

Key words

Season: One of the four times of year — spring, summer, fall, or winter — each with its own weather.
Spring: The season after winter when it gets warmer, rain falls often, and plants start to grow again.
Summer: The hottest season of the year when days are long and sunny.
Fall: Also called autumn; the season when it gets cooler, leaves change color and drop, and days get shorter.
Winter: The coldest season of the year when some places get snow and many trees have no leaves.
Weather: What the air outside feels like — sunny, rainy, cold, hot, windy, or snowy.
Sunlight: Light that comes from the Sun; more sunlight means warmer weather.
Pattern: Something that repeats in the same order, like the seasons do every year.

Worked examples

It is very hot outside, kids are swimming in the pool, and the sun sets late at night. What season is it?

→ Summer · Summer has the most sunlight and the highest temperatures of the year.

The trees have pink and white flowers blooming, baby birds are hatching, and it rains a lot. What season is it?

→ Spring · Spring brings warmer air, more rain, and new plants and animals waking up.

The leaves on the trees are turning orange, red, and yellow and falling to the ground. Kids are wearing jackets. What season is it?

→ Fall (Autumn) · Falling leaves and cooler air are the big clues for fall.

There is snow on the ground, the pond is frozen, and kids are wearing heavy coats, hats, and mittens. What season is it?

→ Winter · Winter is the coldest season and the one most likely to bring snow and ice.

After winter, what season comes next?

→ Spring comes next after winter. · The seasons always follow the same order, so after the coldest season comes the warming season.

Name the four seasons in order starting with spring.

→ Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter · This order repeats every year without stopping.

Common mistakes

Thinking the seasons can come in any order — they always go Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, then start over.
Thinking every place on Earth has the same seasons at the same time — some places near the middle of Earth (the equator) barely have seasons at all.
Mixing up fall and winter — fall is cool and leaves drop, but winter is colder and often brings snow.
Thinking summer is hot just because Earth is closer to the Sun — it is actually about how directly the sunlight hits Earth, not only the distance.
Forgetting that there are exactly four seasons — not three, not five, always four.

FAQs

Why do we have seasons?

As Earth travels around the Sun during the year, different parts of Earth lean toward or away from the Sun. When your part of Earth leans toward the Sun, you get more sunlight and warmth — that is summer. When it leans away, you get less sunlight and it is colder — that is winter.

How long does each season last?

Each season lasts about three months. All four seasons together make one full year.

Do all places on Earth have four seasons?

No. Places near the middle of Earth, like rainforests near the equator, stay warm all year. Places near the very top or bottom of Earth can have very long winters. Most places in the United States do have all four seasons.

Why do leaves change color in fall?

In fall, trees get less sunlight and start to rest for winter. They stop making the green color in their leaves, and other colors — orange, red, and yellow — show through before the leaves fall off.

What should I wear in each season?

Spring: a light jacket. Summer: shorts and a t-shirt. Fall: a sweater or jacket. Winter: a heavy coat, hat, and mittens.

Will the seasons always be in the same order?

Yes! Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter repeat in the exact same order every single year. You can count on it.

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