Living in the Northern Hemisphere, it can be easy to assume that every country has the same seasons. However, that’s not actually the case due to the differences between the northern and southern hemispheres. Countries like Australia do things a little differently to us, and it’s worth knowing how things work down there before you visit on vacation.
When do the seasons occur?
Much like the US, seasons in Australia last for around three months. However, they don’t align with the ones in the northern hemisphere. While many places in this region experience cold weather, those in Australia are basking in the heat. For anyone who feels the festive season is far too cold, that probably sounds like a blessing. After all, you get to enjoy all the fun that comes with the holidays without dealing with freezing conditions. The vast difference in temperature and weather means that the country is always two seasons ahead – or behind – those in the northern hemisphere. So they have summer when we have winter, they have fall when we have spring, etc.
Do the seasons start at the same time?
The fact that Australia is always two seasons apart isn’t the only thing you have to consider. That’s because the start and end dates for their seasons aren’t the same as they are in the northern hemisphere. For them, everything begins on the 1st day of a month and ends on the last day of a month. For example, winter starts on December 1 and ends on February 28 (or 29.) To some, this probably makes a lot more sense than it does here, where seasons begin around the 20th or 21st of the month. This brings them in line with the solstices, which also happen around this time in June and December.
Is the weather consistent across the seasons?
The seasons might be the same throughout the United States, but that doesn’t mean seasonal weather is always the same. The nation is so big that it covers six time zones, so it’s no surprise that the weather on one side doesn’t always match the other. It’s a similar situation in Australia, with the land mass being so large that seasonal weather often differs throughout the country. For instance, the north of the island has quite a tropical climate, while the rest tends to be average all year round. Some areas, such as the north, also have weather that lasts longer than one season. It tends to be wet between November and April there, which is when cyclones are more likely to strike. If you’re going to visit Australia during this time, you’ll want to think carefully about whereabouts you stay in the country.
At the end of the day, the seasons in Australia aren’t too different from how they are in the United States. The main thing to remember is that if it’s summer here, it’ll be winter there, and vice versa. That’s great if you’re not a fan of the current weather at home and want to switch things up on vacation.
