In the Northern Hemisphere, fall (or autumn) is primarily identified as the months of September, October, and November
. However, the exact timeframe depends on whether you are using a meteorological or astronomical definition. Seasonal Definition Report 1. Meteorological Fall
Meteorologists define seasons by grouping the 12 calendar months into four 3-month periods based on the annual temperature cycle. Northern Hemisphere: September 1 to November 30. Southern Hemisphere: March 1 to May 31.
This fixed system makes it easier for scientists to track and compare weather data year-over-year. 2. Astronomical Fall
Astronomical seasons are based on the Earth's position relative to the sun and are the dates typically seen on most calendars.
The definition of fall (or autumn) depends on whether you use the meteorological calendar or the astronomical one. In the Northern Hemisphere, it generally spans from September through November or December. 1. Meteorological Fall
Meteorologists divide the year into equal three-month blocks based on the temperature cycle. This makes it easier to track and compare climate statistics year-to-year. Months: September, October, and November. Start Date: September 1st. End Date: November 30th. 2. Astronomical Fall
This is based on the Earth's position relative to the sun, specifically the tilt of the Earth's axis. Months: Late September through late December.
Start Date: The Autumnal Equinox, which usually falls on September 22nd or 23rd.
End Date: The Winter Solstice, which usually falls on December 21st or 22nd. 3. Southern Hemisphere Fall In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Autumn: a burst of colour - Met Office
In the United States, September, October, and November are generally considered the fall months. Astronomically, the season begins on the autumnal equinox (usually September 22) and concludes on the winter solstice (December 21). Nourishing NY Fall Seasonal Produce Overview what months are the fall
Fall is known as the "harvest season" because many crops planted in spring or summer reach full maturity. Peak produce during these months includes: Pure Wesson Oil : A transitional month where summer favorites like overlap with early fall arrivals like winter squash : The height of fall harvesting for cranberries pomegranates , and hardy root vegetables like : Focuses on late-maturing crops such as Brussels sprouts cauliflower Complete Produce List by Category Based on guides from the USDA SNAP-Ed Connection Farmers' Almanac
, here is a comprehensive list of what is in season during the fall: Vegetables Seasonal Produce Guide - SNAP-Ed Connection - USDA
When Exactly is Fall? A Guide to the Season of Change The air is getting crisp, the leaves are turning brilliant shades of orange and gold, and pumpkin spice is everywhere. But when can you officially
say it’s fall? Depending on who you ask—an astronomer, a meteorologist, or even a local in the Southern Hemisphere—the answer changes. The Two Ways to Define Fall Most of us mark our calendars by one of two systems: Astronomical Meteorological 1. Astronomical Fall (The "Official" Calendar)
This version is based on the Earth's position relative to the sun. It begins on the autumnal equinox , when day and night are almost equal in length. Nature's Calendar Northern Hemisphere: Starts around September 22 or 23 and ends around December 21 or 22 (the winter solstice). Southern Hemisphere: Starts around March 20 or 21 and ends around June 20 or 21 AccuWeather 2. Meteorological Fall (The "Weather" Calendar)
Meteorologists prefer a simpler system. They break the year into four three-month blocks based on the annual temperature cycle. This makes it much easier to track climate data from year to year.
National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) (.gov) When does autumn start? - Nature's Calendar
Once upon a time, in a world tilted at a perfect 23.5 degrees, there lived two sisters who lived on opposite sides of the Great Equator. They were called North and South, and they had a very peculiar way of sharing the year.
Whenever North put on her favorite orange sweater to watch the leaves turn gold, South was busy planting fresh flowers and greeting the sun. The North’s Harvest
In the Northern Hemisphere, Fall (or Autumn) was a cozy transition from the blazing heat of summer to the icy quiet of winter. North knew Fall was arriving when the calendar hit September. In the Northern Hemisphere, fall (or autumn) is
September: The month of the "Equal Night," or the Autumnal Equinox. This was the official start, usually around September 22nd, when day and night were perfectly balanced.
October: The heart of the season, filled with pumpkins, harvest moons, and crisp air.
November: The final bow of the season, where the last leaves fell and the first frosts whispered of the coming winter. The South’s Golden Hour
Most traditional calendars and almanacs rely on the astronomical definition. This method defines seasons by Earth's position relative to the sun, specifically using the two equinoxes (spring/fall) and the two solstices (summer/winter).
Regardless of which specific day the equinox lands on, certain biological and cultural events signal the arrival of fall within those months.
As the summer heat begins to wane and the leaves transform into a tapestry of crimson, orange, and gold, many people find themselves asking a simple yet essential question: What months are the fall?
The answer depends on who you ask—an astronomer, a meteorologist, or a cultural historian. While a standard calendar might point to a specific three-month block, the reality of autumn is far more nuanced. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the official definitions, regional variations, and seasonal markers that actually determine when fall arrives and leaves.
This depends on growing cycles. For example:
Culturally, the "months of fall" are also tied to human behavior. In the United States, many people view the season through the lens of holidays.
The answer depends on whether you're following the meteorological definition (based on annual temperature cycles) or the astronomical definition (based on Earth's position relative to the sun). Here’s the breakdown: USA (Thanksgiving): Late November (fall)
1. Meteorological Fall (Used for climate records and forecasting)
2. Astronomical Fall (Based on equinoxes and solstices)
Quick Summary Table (Northern Hemisphere)
| Definition | Fall Months | | :--- | :--- | | Meteorological | September, October, November | | Astronomical | Late September – Late December (exact dates vary) |
Which one should you use?
🍂 Tip: In the Southern Hemisphere, fall (called autumn) occurs during March, April, and May for both definitions.
So whether you’re chasing pumpkin spice or tracking equinoxes, now you know exactly when fall arrives.
In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomical fall runs from the September equinox to the December solstice. This means fall generally occupies the end of September, all of October and November, and the first three weeks of December.
In the UK and Ireland, autumn (the preferred term over "fall") is tied to the harvest.