When does summer end in 2024? Astronomical and meteorological seasons explained

Seren Morris and Nuray Bulbul
The UK has enjoyed record-breaking temperatures this summer (Carlos Jasso / AFP via Getty Images)
The UK has enjoyed record-breaking temperatures this summer (Carlos Jasso / AFP via Getty Images)

Whether you’re hoping to make the most of the warm weather, or you’re looking forward to the cooler autumn months, by early September, many people are wondering when summer officially ends.

However, how much summertime we have left depends on whether you follow the astronomical seasons or the meteorological seasons.

So what is the difference between the astronomical and meteorological calendars? Find out what you need to know below.

When is the astronomical summer?

The astronomical calendar is based on the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth.

The Met Office explains that: “The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun.”

The dates of the astronomical summer season can vary from year to year. This year, summer began on June 20 and will end on September 22.

The astronomical summer also relates to the dates of the equinoxes and the solstices.

London Weather: Summer Heatwave 2022

Two women dip their heads into the fountain to cool off in Trafalgar Square (Getty Images)
Two women dip their heads into the fountain to cool off in Trafalgar Square (Getty Images)
A police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace (AP)
A police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace (AP)
People take pictures of the sunset from Greenwich Park view point (REUTERS)
People take pictures of the sunset from Greenwich Park view point (REUTERS)
2: Empty shelves in the water aisle of Sainsbury Nine Elms in London (PA)
2: Empty shelves in the water aisle of Sainsbury Nine Elms in London (PA)
A man cools off in a fountain during the hot weather in London (REUTERS)
A man cools off in a fountain during the hot weather in London (REUTERS)
People sit and lie in the sun and shade backdropped by Tower Bridge (AP)
People sit and lie in the sun and shade backdropped by Tower Bridge (AP)
Children cool off in the Southbank Centre fountain (Reuters)
Children cool off in the Southbank Centre fountain (Reuters)
A man uses a newspaper as a fan whilst travelling on the Bakerloo line (PA)
A man uses a newspaper as a fan whilst travelling on the Bakerloo line (PA)
Two people under an umbrella in London’s Regents Park (PA)
Two people under an umbrella in London’s Regents Park (PA)
Sunrise over London (Jeremy Selwyn)
Sunrise over London (Jeremy Selwyn)
Swimmers soak up the sun at Charlton Lido in south east London (PA)
Swimmers soak up the sun at Charlton Lido in south east London (PA)

When is the meteorological summer?

Meteorological seasons split the year up into four seasons each made up of three months.

The meteorological seasons are defined as spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), autumn (September, October, November) and winter (December, January, February).

This means that the meteorological summer always begins on June 1 and always ends on August 31.

End of Brat summer

With the end of summer approaching, Charli XCX also announced the end of ‘brat summer’.

The singer said, "Goodbye forever brat summer" in a couple of postings on her social media pages on Monday, September 2. Alongside the statement, Charli XCX posted a carousel of videos with brat song soundtracks on her Instagram account.

Brat summer is a style and manner of living that draws inspiration from the Charli XCX album.

With the publication of the singer's sixth studio album Brat in June – which had the now-famous lime green cover with the title written in lowercase – the internet frenzy really got going. The distinct style quickly gained popularity, especially on TikTok.

In a TikTok video, Charli XCX clarified what the term "brat" meant.

“You’re just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But kind of like, parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile. Like, does dumb things. But it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat,” she said.

Why do we have seasons?

The Earth experiences different seasons as a result of the 23.5 degrees of tilt of Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun.

According to the Met Office: “This tilt means that throughout Earth’s orbit around the Sun (our calendar year) certain areas of the globe are tilted towards the Sun, while other areas are tilted away from it.

“This creates a difference in the amount of solar radiation (or sunlight) that reaches different parts of the Earth, therefore creating the global cycle of fluctuations that we know as the seasons.”

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