When is the first day of fall? Here's what you need to know about the fall equinox

Seth Jacobson, USA TODAY NETWORK - New England
·2 min read

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting a little bit more crisp, and soon, the leaves will start turning their annual shades of red and gold.

The fall season is almost upon us.

Later this month will be the fall equinox, which signifies the official beginning of autumn.

But what exactly is the meaning of the term equinox? And when is the official start of the fall season? Here's what you need to know.

The Farmer's Almanac states the word equinox "comes from the Latin words for 'equal night' — aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world."

According to the National Weather Service, an equinox marks the two times a year when the Earth's axis is tilted to a point where there is "nearly equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes."

When does the fall equinox begin? When does it end?

It begins on Sept. 22 at 8:43 a.m. and ends on Dec. 21.

FALL FUN: This Massachusetts apple orchard just ranked 3rd on Yelp's top apple picking spots

What is 'meteorological' fall?

While "astronomical" autumn begins on Sept. 22, the "meteorological" one always starts on Sept. 1. Meteorological fall lasts for 91 days every year, lasting through Nov. 30, according to AccuWeather.

This map shows a prediction of fall foliage during the week of Oct. 14, 2024.
This map shows a prediction of fall foliage during the week of Oct. 14, 2024.

What are the 'meteorological' seasons?

According to AccuWeather:

  • Meteorological spring is March, April and May.

  • Meteorological summer is June, July and August.

  • Meteorological fall is September, October and November.

  • Meteorological winter is December, January and February.

What the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts: When will fall foliage colors peak in New England?

What are other meteorologists saying about the fall temperatures?

It may be almost fall but some meteorological groups think it'll be a little warmer this autumn.

The AccuWeather 2024 fall forecast is predicting that "temperatures are expected to hover 1 to 3 degrees or more above the historical average across much of the country," from September through November.

AccuWeather stated that the only areas where above-historical average temperatures are not expected in the fall are in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and coastal areas along California, Oregon and Washington.

That means Massachusetts and New England are potentially subject to more heat in September through November.

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: When is the official start of fall, and what is a fall equinox?