When Does Fall Officially Begin?
NASA says the equinox occurs twice a year and brings equal daylight and nighttime as the Northern Hemisphere enters fall.
- On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, the autumnal equinox arrives at 8:05 p.m. ET, marking the official start of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the end of summer.
- Earth's 23.5-degree tilt means the sun sits directly above the equator on the equinox, creating roughly equal day and night across the globe.
- Meteorologists and climatologists define fall as beginning September 1 based on temperature cycles, while astronomical fall depends on Earth's position relative to the sun.
- Shorter days lie ahead, as most U.S. states will lose 3 to 3.5 hours of daylight before the winter solstice, and the "Harvest Moon" will follow shortly after.
- With warmer-than-normal temperatures likely this fall due to El Niño and climate change, travelers can explore 10 cities recommended by USA TODAY for the season.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Enthrall of Fall: The Autumnal Equinox
At 5:05pm, Tuesday, Sept. 22, the sun crossed the celestial equator, giving us the autumnal equinox—no pumpkin spice latte required. The equinox is one of those annual astronomical events that reminds us wee mortals that the planet is going to assert itself regardless of whatever is happening in our own little worlds. It’s humbling really, […]
When does fall start? What to know about autumnal equinox
News 40 Weather Report: The science behind the first day of fall - WNKY News 40 Television
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s the first day of fall. That means different things to different people. It may be as simple as leaves falling or pumpkins popping up everywhere…evening in coffee. But there’s a scientific aspect to fall…and it’s called the equinox. The autumnal equinox, to be exact. Equinox means “equal nights”…an occurrence that happens two days every year…the...
Fort Smith/Fayetteville News
When does fall officially begin?
The first day of fall is officially here as the autumnal equinox marks the change of the seasons.
Is today first day of fall? Autumnal equinox arrives tonight
The autumnal equinox arrives tonight, September 22, at 8:05 p.m. ET. This marks the official start of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere.At that precise moment, the sun will sit directly above Earth's equator, creating...
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