When Does Fall Actually Begin?

Lots of people LOVE fall.  They love the cooler temperatures, the changing leaves, and the chance to include pumpkin into all of the baked goods.  Department stores and craft stores start putting out fall decorations in mid August, and heating and cooling companies start talking about heating season then too.  We start get ready for fall during the summer, but, when does fall actually begin?

The truth is, there are a few different answers:

Socially

For many of us we said goodbye to summer with a barbecue on Labor Day.  We sent our kids off to school the next day, packed away the beach towels and swim suits, and switched our coffee order to a pumpkin spice latte.  In most people’s minds, fall begins when Labor Day weekend is over.

We did all of that, but summer didn’t quite listen.  September 2017 in metro Detroit has been very, very warm.  So, is Labor Day the end of the summer?

Astronomically

Timeanddate.com points out out, “In the Northern Hemisphere, the fall equinox marks the first day of fall (autumn) in what we call astronomical seasons.”

The fall or autumnal equinox is when the sun passes over the equator, which means that on that day, there is equal amounts of daylight and night.  This year, in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox will occur at 4:02 p.m. on Friday, September 22.

Meteorologically

Meteorological seasons are based upon average temperatures throughout the year, and the seasons are each 3 months long.  “Meteorological summer runs from June 1 to Aug. 31, meteorological fall from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, meteorological winter from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 and meteorological spring from March 1 to May 31,” states Weather.com.

So, when does fall actually begin? After Labor Day, September 22, or September 1- it is hard to say.  However, it is important your home be prepared whenever the chilly temperatures come.  Read to learn about ways to prepare your home for fall, or contact FLAME for more information!