What is the difference between the beginning of winter astronomically and in meteorology?

Weather of Arabia - With the first days of December, the winter season begins in meteorology, but we know that the winter season begins on December 22, so why are there two dates for the beginning of the seasons, and what is the difference between them?

The beginning of winter in meteorology

The winter season begins in meteorology on the 1-12 of each year, which is the unofficial start of the winter season, which has been determined based on the annual temperature cycle and weather patterns.

As meteorologists and climatologists divide the seasons into groups, each of which has a duration of three months, based on the similarity in temperatures, and the winter season in meteorology includes the three months; December, January and February because the temperatures are almost the same, and change regularly during those months.

The beginning of winter astronomically

The beginning of the astronomical winter season is the official start of winter, which is associated with the winter solstice and the Earth's location in relation to the sun, as it is in the northern hemisphere on (or around) December 22, and on this day the earth's axis is at its maximum inclination Far from the sun, and therefore it has the shortest day of the year and the longest night.

For more: How much is left until the winter season 2022? A countdown timer for the number of days remaining until the start of winter

Why are different dates for the beginning of seasons determined in meteorology?

Scientists resorted to determining the beginnings of the seasons at the beginning of the months in order to facilitate the archiving process. Meteorologists used to enter the data of the seasons into computers for the purpose of archiving them. The existence of a fixed date for the beginning and end of the seasons astronomically, and the difference in length from 89 to 93 days in the duration of the seasons astronomically, so the data entry and meteorologists adopted a special calendar for the seasons in meteorology, so that each season of the year extends for three months, including one Winter from the first day of December to the last day of February.

Also among the reasons that made scientists choose the beginning of the winter season on the first of December is the decrease in temperature rates as a result of the start of the change of weather systems in terms of climatic aspects on the first of December, as the cooling of air masses increases in the middle and lower latitudes, including our region, but the conditions differ weather from year to year.

Therefore, the science of weather and meteorology remains important in studying the beginnings of the seasons depending on the average annual temperatures, due to their proximity to what actually happens on the ground, and this is of great importance to various sectors such as the agricultural sector, the industrial sector, and others.

More: What are the signs of the onset of winter?