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topicnews · August 29, 2024

When does fall 2024 start? That depends on who you ask

When does fall 2024 start? That depends on who you ask

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Whether you’re ready or not, fall is on the way.

Labor Day is on Monday, September 2, which means summer is ending and fall is coming. But exactly when the season starts depends on who you ask.

The autumn equinox, which astronomically marks the beginning of autumn, occurs in mid-September. However, the meteorological calendar says that the new season will only begin in a few days.

This is what you need to know at the beginning of autumn.

When does autumn 2024 begin?

The autumn equinox, the astronomical beginning of autumn, is Sunday, September 22The meteorological beginning of autumn is September 1st, which this year also falls on a Sunday.

When is the autumn equinox?

The autumn equinox 2024 will take place on September 22, 8:44 a.m. ET in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What is the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?

Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun. The change of seasons is marked by solstices or equinoxes.

The start of the meteorological season is based on the annual temperature cycles and the 12-month calendar. Meteorologists mainly use this system.

What is the autumn equinox?

The autumnal equinox is an astronomical event that marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. An equinox occurs when the center of the Sun crosses the “celestial equator,” an imaginary extension of the Earth’s equator into space.

After the autumn equinox, the days become shorter than the nights until the winter solstice on Saturday, December 21st.

What happens during the autumn equinox?

The seasons are caused by the tilt and rotation of the Earth, which has an average tilt axis of 23.5 degrees.

Because the Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical manner, it is closest to the Sun in January and farthest from it in July. Around the summer solstice, usually around June 21, the Northern Hemisphere is in a more direct path of the Sun’s energy, resulting in longer days and shorter nights.

On September 22nd, the Earth will be at the autumn equinox this year.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite. As the autumn equinox approaches, the Southern Hemisphere prepares for spring and longer days and moves into summer, while the Northern Hemisphere enters winter.

What does “equinox” mean?

The word “equinox” comes from the Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” At the equinox in autumn (and again in spring), day and night are approximately the same length.

When is the best time to see the fall leaves?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the best time to see fall foliage is mid-September to early November. The second and third weeks of October are usually peak fall foliage season, but that depends on where you live and local weather conditions.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that peak times in Ohio are typically expected around mid-October.

When is the spring equinox in 2025?

The vernal equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Emily DeLetter, a trends news reporter for USA Today, contributed to this story.

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