Climate and Seasons

The typical weather in a particular region over a period of years is called the region's climate.

Climate patterns may be marked by traditional divisions of a year based on distinctive weather conditions, what we call "seasons." For example, the continental United States is considered a "temperate region" in which there are four seasons -- spring, summer, autumn (fall), and winter. On the other hand, in tropical regions of the Earth, there are generally only two seasons -- a dry season and a rainy season. Seasons are shaped by the relative position of the Earth to the Sun.

Hemispheres

The continental United States is part of what geographers call the northern hemisphere. A hemisphere is one half of the Earth; when referring to a southern and northern hemisphere, the Earth is divided by the equator, an imaginary line that encircles the planet at equal distances from the North and South poles.

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Solstices

In the continental United States (which excludes Hawaii and islands such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands), seasons are marked by solstices and equinoxes.

A solstice is either of the longest day of the year or the shortest day of the year, when the Sun is farthest away from the equator. Solstices occur on or about June 21 and December 21.

In the United States, summer solstice occurs around June 21. The Sun is at its northernmost point, relative to the equator. Summertime begins. In the southern hemisphere, this time marks the winter solstice. Wintertime begins.

Winter solstice, when the Sun is at its southernmost point, relative to the equator, occurs around December 21. In the northern hemisphere, winter begins. In the southern hemisphere, this marks the summer solstice and summer begins.

Equinoxes

An equinox, when day and night are of approximately equal lengths everywhere on Earth, occurs twice yearly when the Sun crosses the plane of the equator, once in each direction. The equinoxes occur around March 21 and September 22.

The equinox in the month of March is called the vernal equinox (or spring equinox) in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, the vernal equinox, or the start of spring occurs in September.

Fall or autumnal equinox (also called September equinox in the United States) occurs around September 22-23 in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs in March.

Contrast Argentina and the United States

Kentucky countryside in January.

The Kentucky countryside in January.

 Kentucky countryside in July.

The Kentucky countryside in July (mid-summer).


Argentina countryside in March.

The Argentina countryside in March.

 Argentina on July 4th.

Argentina in July (mid-winter).


Comparing and contrasting the climate of Argentina with the continental United States, illustrates the opposing seasons of the hemispheres. [See map.] Argentina is the second largest country of South America after Brazil. Argentina covers most of the southern half of the continent of South America, east of the Andes Mountains, and is subject to contrasting climates, much like the United States.

Northern Argentina consists of subtropical to tropical regions with extremely hot, humid summers and mild drier winters. The middle of the country contains immense fertile prairies that produce much of the country's agricultural products, with hot summers marked by numerous thunderstorms and cool winters. (Compare this area to the Great Plains of the United States, home to the Corn Belt.) Southern Argentina experiences warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Argentina's coldest temperatures are usually in July; the warmest, usually around January. Annual precipitation varies widely across the country with heavier amounts in the north and much drier conditions in the south and west.

Each region of the Earth undergoes climate patterns, oftentimes those on opposing points of the planet being quite similar. Regardless of what season may be occurring in a particular area at a given time, simultaneously, there are always peoples on different areas of the planet experiencing just the opposite.

See Also: Weather Words