When Does Fall Start? FAQs About the Most Colorful Season

When does fall start? It’s a question many wonder about, because the weather is ever-changing. The biggest hint that it actually began is the changing leaves and a slow drop in temperature. The summer heat has been tamed by cloudy days and longer nights, signaling a slow-down in people’s daily routines. If you want to embrace the colors fully as the leaves drop to the earth, learn more about one of the most beautiful seasons.

When Does Fall Start?

Fall begins on the autumnal equinox, which is typically on the same day every year — around September 22 or 23. This is the official date for those in the Northern Hemisphere, when leaves start to brighten in color and drop from the trees. 

Southern Hemisphere residents can note this time as the first day of spring instead. Their autumnal equinox matches the Northern Hemisphere’s vernal, or spring, equinox, which is usually around March 20 or 21.

The equinox describes when the Sun’s position is above the Equator, making day and night equal for a moment. Then, as it shifts, the days start to get shorter. The Southern Hemisphere starts to receive more light, experiencing its natural beauty, while it darkens for the rest of the globe. Nighttime continues to lengthen until the winter solstice.

What Does Fall Symbolize?

Autumn has a specific day on the calendar when it is going to begin. However, the emotional timing of fall is ushered in at completely different times because of sociocultural associations related to the season. What are some of the most popular, and why could you feel the cool winds of autumn hit you earlier than late September? It’s because humans associated these themes with the darkening days.

Harvest and Seasonal Foods

Farmers need to get their precious crops out of the ground before the winter frost bears its ugly teeth. Traditionally, the literal fruits of these labors would feed households throughout the colder months when it was impossible to produce anything. It is why so many people think of specific foods when they hear autumn ringing. 

The most iconic in-season produce includes:

• Apples
• Beets
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Chard
• Cranberries
• Eggplant
• Figs
• Mushrooms
• Pears
• Pomegranates
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Pumpkins and other squash

You’ll likely want butternut squash soup or pomegranate pearls most in autumn. They are cozy, yet evocative of the stories you associate with the season. 

The Macabre

This brings us to the next theme — the dread, the melancholic, the potentially undead. The myth of Hades and Persephone, a powerful tale about the changing seasons, prominently features the luscious pomegranate. Halloween, a holiday full of play, trickery, and the supernatural, features sweets and gourds. You can see how the harvest themes interweave with death, the undead, and the Underworld.

Melancholia is a prominent feature of this season, as many experience seasonal affective disorder. As the days get shorter and daylight is scarce, people lose motivation and struggle to balance their mental health. Embracing community and gatherings, like many do with Thanksgiving, is a fantastic opportunity to bring some joy into the darker days.

Change and Transitions

The Greek word katabasis refers to the liminal space and transitional journey one experiences when entering the Underworld. Not only does this association tie to Persephone, but fall is a transformative season for many, and spring evokes similar feelings in a completely different way. 

Many people go dormant, so to speak. They become more reserved and pensive after exhausting tons of energy in the summer. People become thoughtful and creatively inspired, considering how they will move into this new phase of the year. In a more literal manner, students enter new school terms in the fall, signaling a shift in personal and career development. 

Leaf Peeping

You may have never heard of this using this terminology, but have you ever wandered outdoors during the fall just to see the mesmerizing leaves? This is called leaf peeping, or fall color tourism. 

People are desperate to grab a fantastic photo from a gorge or overlook showing nature’s seemingly endless beauty. It connects people to the outdoors, even though the weather may feel cold and damp.

FAQs About the Autumn Season

The timing, weather patterns, and seasonality of fall are somewhat confusing, so let’s examine the planet’s most-asked questions.

Can Fall Start in August?

Fall will never officially start in August. However, the autumnal weather may begin long before late September, depending on where you live and the elevation. Some meteorologists consider September 1 the unofficial first day of fall based on temperature cycles, making the closest people will get to an August fall.

Is September 22 Always the First Day of Fall?

No. While the day consistently hits close to this date, it can be anywhere from September 21 to 24. Earth’s orbit constantly changes in the slightest of ways, altering what exact day it falls on. When it lands outside September 22 and 23, it is a rare year.

Why Is Autumn Called Fall?

Autumn is sometimes called fall for precisely the reason you think — it developed the name because the leaves fall off trees. Now, if you’re wondering where the word “autumn” came from, it is derived from the Latin phrase autumnus, referencing the harvest. If you want to know which term is more accurate, both are equally accepted when describing the season.

What Are the Four Autumn Months?

While the temperatures may tell you otherwise, the actual fall or autumn months are September, October, and November — only three months. Winter begins in late December — at least for those north of the Equator!

When Does Fall Start? It Depends

The timing of fall is nearly an exact science, though the atmosphere and weather could lead to a completely different perception. It has historical ties to a dip in temperature, a gathering of craps, and a time of rest, and these themes have never lost their ties, even in the modern day. Whether you’re spending the fall season drinking pumpkin spice lattes or picking pumpkins in your backyard, at least you know when fall actually started and how long it will last.