To most of us who live in tropical countries, the four seasons in most European, American and some Asian countries are not familiar. Summer, autumn, winter and spring come one after the other, dividing the twelve months of the year into four different seasons.
In countries with four seasons, the temperature differs greatly from season to season. It even differs from day to day. It is one of the reasons why people usually talk about the weather when they meet each other. In the countries north of the equator, seasons begin between the 20th and the 23rd of the month-summer in June, autumn in September, winter in December, and spring in March. Countries which are south of the equator, such as Australia, New Zealand, most of South American countries, and the countries of Southern Africa, have their season at the opposite times. So, in January when it is snowing and cold in Canada, it is hot in Australia and New Zealand.
To some of us, summer weather is familiar. Its temperature or heat is almost the same as it is in our dry seasons. But sometimes it is so high that many people suffer from it. Summer is also the seasons of fruit and vegetable crops. The coats and jackets which are necessary in the other seasons are replaced by sports shirt and cotton dresses. In summer people like to go either to the mountains or to the beaches.
Following the hot summer days of July and August comes autumn. Little by little nature changes. Because of the summer heat, the green leaves of many of the trees get drier and drier, and their colour changes from green to yellow, red and brown. The wind blows harder and harder and finally the dry leaves fall to the earth, leaving the tree with nothing on their branches. That is why people especially in United States of America, also call the season fall.
Autumn is always beautiful. The falling leaves are colorful. The wind blowing very often, gives cool air and makes the season the most popular time for picnics. Sometimes there are showers giving even cooler weather and washing the dust away from the air. Having prepared itself for the cold weather, nature is now ready for winter.
As the last leaves fall to the earth. the wind becomes colder. The green leaves of summer and the bright colors of autumn are gone; everything is dull. It is winter. Snow starts to fall, making the earth and everything white. Warmer temperatures on the following days may cause the snow to disappear, leaving behind icicles of different shapes shining in the sun. Then snow falls the next day and the earth is white again. The temperature drops and the weather is very cold, just the opposite of that in summer. In the north the temperatures many degrees below zero. Inside houses, shops, factories, sports halls and other building it is necessary to make the temperature warm, otherwise people will suffer the cold.
However, winter is not just very cold weather with white, dull scenery. It is also the season in which people in most European countries and in North America have their biggest celebration of the year, Christmas and new year celebrations. During such happy moment, members of family get together and relatives and friends visit one another, exchanging gifts. By this time the weather is very cold indeed, but people’s hearts are warm with joy. In the north, January and February are the months when there is the most snow. There is less in the following month. Then comes spring.
Spring is also beautiful. Its arrival seems to give new life to nature. Having seen mostly white all winter long, people always welcome early spring with joy. White earth and trees without leaves are now replaces by flowers of different colors blooming beautiful everywhere. Young leaves start to grow on the branches of trees. More beautiful flowers grow after some showers which often come during the season. Nature is now ready for the next season, summer.
So nature goes from season to season and people keep asking “How is the weather today?”
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