秋

Do we need the article the with season names?

Without the

• It is cold in winter and hot in summer. This case is generally speaking and is not about a particular time; it could be written as follows: Winter is usually cold and summer is usually hot. 
• Cherry blossom blooms in spring and persimmons are harvested in autumn. (usually)

With the

• The summer was hot but the winter will be cold. This case refers to a particular time (only this year) and could be written as follows: This year, the summer was hot but the winter will be cold. 
• The summer of 2003 was the hottest on record. (only in 2003)