Today, December 1, 2020, is the first day of meteorological winter, and it certainly looks like it. Up to 2 inches of snow covers the ground this morning in the Cincinnati tri-state and trees have been bare for nearly a month.
Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons
Spring: March 1-May 31; Summer: June 1-August 31; Fall: September 1-November 30; Winter: December 1-February 28 (29)
You may have noticed that Arbor Doctor, meteorologists and climatologists 
define seasons differently from “regular” or astronomical spring, summer, fall, and winter. So, why do meteorological and astronomical seasons begin and end at different times? Climatologically, the period July 14-21, the mid-point of meteorological summer, is the hottest week of the year and the period January 14-21, the mid-point of meteorological winter, is the coldest week of the year over much of the continental US including the Ohio valley.
–
–
Nearly half the country has had its coldest day by the first day of calendar winter. That is why meteorological winter makes the most sense.
So, happy first day of meteorological winter. The first day of meteorological spring is only 3 months from today!
