how do seasons work

Earth's seasons are caused by its 23.5-degree axial tilt, which changes how directly sunlight hits different parts of the planet throughout the year.

Directness of Sunlight. When a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it receives more direct, concentrated sunlight and has longer days, creating summer. When tilted away, the sunlight is less direct and days are shorter, leading to winter.
Solstices and Equinoxes. The solstices mark the points of maximum tilt toward or away from the Sun, while the equinoxes occur when the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, resulting in roughly equal day and night.
Orbital Distance Misconception. Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical, but this distance change is too small to cause seasons. In fact, the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter when Earth is closest to the Sun.
Regional Variations. Near the equator, seasonal changes are minimal, and regions often experience wet and dry seasons instead of the four temperature-based seasons found in higher latitudes.