Skip to content

The Poles: Seasons

Because of the earth's tilt and orbit around the sun, the poles receive less energy and heat from the sun. This results in only two polar two seasons—summer and winter. In summer at the poles, the sun does not set, and in winter the sun does not rise.

Earth’s Tilt

The Earth is slightly tilted—that is what gives us our seasons.

Here’s how it works. On one side of its orbit around the sun, the Earth is tilted towards the sun. During this time, the northern hemisphere receives more heat so has higher temperatures—it is summer. Six months later, the Earth is on the other side of its orbit, and the Earth is tilted away from the sun. Now, the northern hemisphere receives less heat so it is colder—it is winter.

Explore our interactives

the poles

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Comparing the Poles

extreme weather

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Weather

melting ice

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Human Impact

Antarctica

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Location/Geography

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Ocean Circulation

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Ecosystem

The Arctic

arctic geography

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Location/Geography

arctic circulation

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Ocean Circulation

arctic ecosystem

DEEPER DISCOVERY

Ecosystem