Fall is Around the Corner: What to Know About the First Day of Fall

Despite triple-digit temperatures lingering in Texas, fall is approaching. The Farmer's Almanac predicts "warmer-than-average" temperatures, but there are other indicators of the season's change. Students are returning to school, and Starbucks has released its 2024 fall menu featuring the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

People are also reading: Farmers' Almanac says heat won't let up in Texas this fall. How accurate is it?

When is the first day of fall?

In 2024, the first day of fall, or the autumnal equinox, is Sunday, Sept. 22. The exact time of the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is 7:44 a.m. CDT, marking the start of astronomical fall.

However, Sunday, Sept. 1 is considered the beginning of meteorological fall, based on the annual temperature cycle.

What is the autumnal equinox?

Equinoxes occur twice a year when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, creating a nearly equal amount of daylight and darkness, according to the National Weather Service. The other equinox, the vernal equinox, happens in the spring.

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When will the leaves change in Texas?

Leaves near the Gulf Coast may not change much, but North Texas sees changes beginning in mid-October and peaking in early to mid-November, according to JC's Landscaping. Leaves usually start to drop in October or November and continue throughout December. Factors like temperature, rain, and sunlight can influence the timing.

When is the first day of Virgo season?

Before the "first day of fall," there's the start of Virgo season. Thursday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 22, the sun will be in Virgo. The Virgo new moon falls on Monday, Sept. 2.

When is the first day of winter?

The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere comes with the winter solstice, which will happen this year on Saturday, Dec. 21. The winter solstice is known as the shortest day of the year, with the fewest daylight hours. After the winter solstice, days will gradually begin to get longer again.