Fall (also called autumn) is the season between summer and winter. The exact months considered "fall" depend on whether you use the astronomical or meteorological definition and on the hemisphere.
If you ask a weather forecaster or a climatologist "what months are the fall," you will get a cleaner, more consistent answer. The meteorological system was created for practical data keeping. Since weather records are kept by month, splitting seasons into neat, three-month blocks makes it much easier to compare climate data from year to year.
Meteorologists and many climatologists define seasons by whole calendar months for easier statistical comparison:
This system fixes fall to the three-month block that contains the equinox and the following two months.
Fall (also called autumn) occurs at different months depending on whether you use the astronomical or meteorological definition, and on which hemisphere you’re in.
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:
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, 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 months considered "fall" (or autumn) depend on whether you are using a meteorological astronomical calendar, as well as which hemisphere you are in. Fall in the Northern Hemisphere (Includes the USA, Canada, Europe, and most of Asia) Meteorological Fall
: Consists of three full calendar months to make record-keeping easier. September, October, and November Astronomical Fall : Based on the Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun. Autumnal Equinox (typically September 22 or 23 Winter Solstice (typically December 21 or 22 The New York Times Fall in the Southern Hemisphere
(Includes Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America) what months are the fall
The definition of fall (or autumn) depends on whether you are looking at the calendar through a scientific or a traditional lens. In the Northern Hemisphere, there are two main ways to mark the season: 1. Meteorological Fall (The Simple Way)
Meteorologists divide the year into groups of three full months based on the temperature cycle. This makes it easier to track weather statistics. Months: September, October, and November. Start Date: September 1. End Date: November 30. 2. Astronomical Fall (The Sun’s Way)
This is defined by the earth's orbit around the sun. It begins when the sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night roughly equal in length. Months: Late September through late December.
Start Date: The Autumnal Equinox (usually September 22 or 23). End Date: The Winter Solstice (usually December 21 or 22). Cultural and Regional Variations
In everyday life, people often associate fall with specific sensory triggers rather than dates. In the U.S., it often "feels" like fall once the school year starts and Labor Day passes. In terms of nature, the "peak" of fall—marked by changing leaf colors and crisper air—typically hits in October.
In the Southern Hemisphere (places like Australia or Brazil), the seasons are reversed: fall occurs during March, April, and May.
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
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
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 What months are 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
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.
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 Northern Hemisphere: September, October, November