“According to the calendar, the First Day of Winter in the northern hemisphere isn't until December 21,
yet for meteorologists and climatologists December 1 is the start of Meteorological Winter. Here's why.
“To better account for how temperatures change throughout the year, atmospheric scientists set their 'seasonal calendar' a bit differently.
“Meteorological seasons are in three-month blocks, just like astronomical seasons, but they start on the 1st of the month. Meteorological Spring begins on March 1, Summer on June 1, Autumn on September 1 and Winter on December 1.
“By setting those as the dates for meteorological seasons, it allows the records to capture the weather that's most associated with that season. For example, for winter, you really want to be recording the coldest part of the year. The northern hemisphere is generally cooling down as the calendar ticks away towards the winter solstice in December, and it's starting to warm up (overall) again as the calendar approaches the spring equinox in March.” The WeatherNetwork.com
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However, Winter here is off to a Springlike start with temperatures close to 70 degrees at Sunset. I spent most all day outside and was still wearing only a T-shirt as evening fell. Even warmer days are ahead.
Did someone say "Global Warming"???
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