We often talk about it beginning to feel like autumn when the nights start to draw in and temperatures start feeling cooler.
There are two separate dates which could be said to mark the start of autumn in calendars. One is defined by the Earth's axis and orbit around the Sun and the second is a fixed date which is used by meteorologists for consistent spacing and lengths of the seasons.
Astronomical autumn
Usually, when we talk about the first day of autumn we are referring to the astronomical autumn which is defined by the Earth's axis and orbit around the Sun.
This year autumn beginson 23 September 2023 and ends on 22 December 2023.
The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth's rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun. Both equinoxes and solstices are related to the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
For upcoming years, the dates for astronomical autumn will be:
| Year | Autumn Starts | Autumn Ends |
|---|
| Autumn 2023 | Saturday, 23September 2023 | Friday, 22December 2023 |
| Autumn 2024 | Sunday, 22September 2024 | Saturday, 21December 2024 |
| Autumn 2025 | Monday, 22 September 2025 | Sunday, 21 December 2025 |
Meteorological autumn
Meteorological seasons are derived bysplitting the year into four periods made up of three months each. These seasons are split to coincide with our Gregorian calendar, making it easier for meteorological observing and forecasting to compare seasonal and monthly statistics. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn is always 1September; ending on 30November.
The seasons are defined asspring(March, April, May),summer(June, July, August),autumn(September, October, November) andwinter(December, January, February).
Solstices and equinoxes
Solstices and equinoxes are considered to be the astronomical transition points between the seasons and mark key stages in the astronomical cycle of the Earth. In a year there are two equinoxes (spring and autumn) and two solstices (summer and winter). The dates ofthe Equinox and Solsticearen't fixed due to the Earth's elliptical orbit of the Sun. The Earth's orbit around the Sun means that in early January, the Sun is closest (known as perihelion) and in early July it is most distant (aphelion).
On the autumn equinox, day and night are of roughly equal length and the nights will become increasingly longer than the days, until the winter solstice.
It also marks the time of year when the northern hemisphere begins to tilt away from the Sun, resulting in less direct sunlight and consequently the cooling temperatures.
FAQs
The temperature starts becoming cooler during autumn. Leaves on the trees will turn yellow, orange, red and brown during autumn. Autumn is the time of year that acts as a transition between summer and winter.
What day does autumn usually start? ›
The autumnal equinox, usually occurring on September 22 or 23, means fall is officially here. The autumnal equinox is one of only two days—the other is the spring, or vernal, equinox—when the Sun is directly above the Equator, ostensibly dividing night and day into equal portions.
Is September 19 a fall? ›
Meteorological autumn
By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn is always 1 September; ending on 30 November. The seasons are defined as spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), autumn (September, October, November) and winter (December, January, February).
How long until autumn starts? ›
There are 36 days until Autumn!
What is an autumn answer? ›
autumn, season of the year between summer and winter during which temperatures gradually decrease. It is often called fall in the United States because leaves fall from the trees at that time.
Is autumn a season yes or no? ›
Autumn is considered the more formal name for the season. The trees are turning; the weather's getting cooler; Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back—it's fall!
Does autumn start on the 21 of September? ›
Astronomical: normally on 21 September or one day either side, the first day of autumn (or spring earlier in the year) is marked by the equinox - when daylight and dark hours are equal. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). In 2021 the autumn equinox is on 22 September.
Is today the first of autumn? ›
According to the meteorological definition of seasons, which is based on temperature cycles and the Gregorian calendar, the first day of fall is usually considered to be September 1 in the Northern Hemisphere (March 1 in the Southern Hemisphere).
Is today the 1st day of fall? ›
The first day of fall is Sunday, Sept. 22, marked by the autumnal equinox. According to the National Weather Service, the exact time is 6:44 a.m. MT/ 7:44 a.m.
How long until autumn 2024? ›
Autumn 2024 officially begins on September 22nd, and it's more than just a change in the calendar.
Most years, you can expect it to occur on September 22 or 23. Every now and then, it could happen on September 21 or 24, but the last time we had a September 21 fall equinox was over a thousand years ago! And don't expect another September 24 date until 2303.
Is September 1 summer? ›
In contrast, the meteorological start of a season relies on the annual temperature cycle and the 12-month calendar. Each season starts on the first day of a specific month and goes on for three months. Spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, autumn on September 1, and winter on December 1.
When starts autumn? ›
Autumnal Equinox
The equinox at which the sun approaches the Southern Hemisphere, marking the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. The time of this occurrence is approximately September 22. On that day, daylight is everywhere 12 hours. Compare with vernal equinox, offset by six months.
Is night longer in autumn? ›
The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and from this day forward the day is longer than the night. Similarly, the autumn equinox marks the start of autumn as the night becomes longer than the day.
How long is autumn days? ›
On average, fall lasts for 89.8 days in the Northern Hemisphere and 92.8 days in the Southern Hemisphere. Average season lengths: March equinox to June solstice: 92.8 days. June solstice to September equinox: 93.6 days.
What is something associated with the fall season answer? ›
The most notable features of Fall include the changing colors of leaves, as deciduous trees shed their leaves, creating beautiful landscapes of vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues. Additionally, Fall is associated with various festivities, such as harvest celebrations and holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
How do you describe the autumn season? ›
Autumn is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. Day length decreases and night length increases as the season progresses until the winter solstice in December (Northern Hemisphere) and June (Southern Hemisphere).
What do we see in autumn? ›
Autumn (sometimes called fall) is one of the four seasons of the year and is the time of year that transitions summer into winter. Along with the tree leaves changing color, the temperature grows colder, plants stop making food, animals prepare for the long months ahead, and the daylight starts growing shorter.
