In Summary

• Causes of weather change.
• Focus on winter, springs, summer, and fall changes.
• The effection on the seasonals

 Building up of the seasons

The Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis, which affects the distribution of the sun’s energy across the surface of the planet.

As the Earth orbits the sun every 365 ¼ days, the axis is always pointing in the same direction into space. Around June 22, the Northern Hemisphere is angled towards the sun, and receives the most direct radiation and the most energy. This is the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

In December, the Earth has completed half a revolution around the sun. The Northern Hemisphere is now angled away from the sun and receives less energy than the Southern Hemisphere; this is the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

From north to south, the results of the distribution of solar energy can be seen in changing vegetation, animal behaviors, temperatures, and day length.

Astronomical and meteorological seasons

Meteorologists and climatologists use a slightly different time scale for meteorological seasons than for astronomical winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Why do meteorological and astronomical seasons begin and end on different dates? In short, it’s because the astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the sun, whereas the meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and help scientists track climate and weather trends.

Seasonal effects

Meeting a shoe shinner in Nairobi, Kamau narrated that “Hii weather haijulikani siku izi ata mm kitambo nilikua nikijua from september to december mvua ilikua inanyesha vibaya saana adi hii kazi yetu tunaionea sixteen, yaani akuna anything juu unapata wasee wanangara saana, but this round kama last year tumefanya kazi saana december juu ya venye jua ilikua ikiwaka , so hii story ya weather inatuaffect anytime bila msee kujua”.

Seasonal changes in precipitation and temperature affect soil moisture, evaporation rate, river flows, lake levels, and snow cover. Leaves fall and plants wither as cold and dry seasons approach.

These changes in vegetation affect the type and amount of food available for humans and other organisms. Animals in temperate and polar regions must find alternate food sources, move to warmer locations, or hibernate.

By  Onyango Vicky