Bizarre Australian fact that baffles other countries: 'Makes no sense'

It’s easy to remember when each new season begins in Australia — summer starts on December 1, autumn on March 1, winter on June 1 and spring on September 1. We tick over to a new season at the beginning of every quarter, which makes sense, right?

Well, apparently we’re actually one of few countries in the world to follow this system, otherwise known as meteorological seasons. In fact, many other countries — including the United States and most of Europe — don’t actually start their seasons at the beginning of the month.

You wouldn’t feel alone in feeling a bit befuddled by this fact. The topic was recently reignited online after Aussie comedian Lachlan Crane reacted in shock to a video of TikToker @keelybooks sharing her discovery that Australia is one of the only countries across the globe that starts each season the way that we do (dare I say, the most logical way).

RELATED:

• Major problem with Aussie houses mercilessly slammed by Canadian expat: 'So bad'

• Popular Euro summer trend Aussies should not follow: 'Worst pain ever'

• Iconic Aussie anthem goes viral in unofficial Kamala Harris campaign video: 'Goosebumps'

And if the comments section is anything to go by, it seems it’s not common knowledge.

“As an Aussie, I had no idea everyone else didn’t do the same as us,” one commenter shared.

“How would we spring clean if spring didn’t start on the 1st of September?” another joked.

“As a fellow Aussie I am extremely confused,’ a third person chimed in.

So how do other countries know when a new season has begun?

The US and most European countries (bar the likes of Austria, Denmark and Russia) follow astronomical seasons, which are determined by the position of the earth in relation to the sun.

Astronomical seasons also use the dates of equinoxes and solstices to mark the beginning and end of new seasons. These vary from year to year, but are typically around the middle of the month.

“In the northern hemisphere, this means spring begins on the spring equinox (mid to late March), summer begins on the summer solstice (mid to late June), Autumn begins at the autumn equinox (mid to late September), and winter begins at the winter solstice (mid to late December),” a spokesperson from the Bureau of Meteorology told Yahoo Lifestyle.

Put simply, an equinox occurs twice a year and marks the two days where the amount of daylight and night hours are about equal — in Australia, the vernal (spring) equinox will land on September 22 this year, while the autumnal equinox will occur on March 20 next year.

A solstice, of course, marks either the shortest day of the year (in winter for Aussies) or the longest day (summer). Down Under, the winter solstice has already come and gone on June 21, while the summer solstice will occur on December 21 this year.

“These dates can change year on year because it depends on when the sun crosses from one side of the equator to the other,” MetService New Zealand meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explained. “Earth’s orbit around the sun takes a little more than 365 days, resulting in an extra day every four years — the leap day.

“In addition, the earth’s orbit around the sun is elliptical, meaning the lengths of the seasons can vary between 89 and 93 days. All of this would add a layer of complication when it comes to keeping consistent seasonal climate and observation records.”

Is Australia the only country that starts seasons on the 1st?

Despite acknowledging dates like the winter and summer solstices, we still start our seasons on the first of the month in Australia, in line with the civil (Gregorian) calendar.

The Bureau has explained that we follow the meteorological calendar here as it’s a better fit to our temperatures, seeing as it’s based on the annual temperature cycle. Following sets of three whole calendar months also makes it easier to compile and present climate-based statistics.

We’re not completely alone though — countries like New Zealand, Japan and even parts of the UK and Canada also follow the meteorological calendar. In saying that, there was some debate in the comments section of Crane’s post as to whether we should switch to the seasonal calendar of our American friends.

“I’m Aussie but solstice and equinox makes so much more sense,” one person wrote.

“As an Australian I was shook when I found out,” another said. “The equinoxes make way more sense though.”

“Apparently they don’t believe Aussies can keep up with the dates if we follow the solstice and equinox,” a third commenter retorted.

However others were quick to note the obvious: the meteorological calendar is undoubtedly easier to remember.

SHOP:

• The winter pet range designed to keep your cats and dogs cosy, comfy and warm

• The simple ingredient that will keep you warm all winter long

• Summer skin in winter? This hydrating beauty supplement makes it possible

There were also some suggestions of following the Indigenous Australian seasonal calendars, which vary locally depending on the region’s weather patterns and phenology (the annual happenings of animal and plant life).

In any case, a blanket approach to seasonal calendars — whether nationally or globally — is arbitrary. Tropical places like Australia’s north and southeast Asia often only have two seasons based on rainfall cycles: a wet season and dry season.

Even if we could switch it up though, I think I’d want to stick with a meteorological calendar. It just makes sense.

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.