To simplify record-keeping and climate statistics, meteorologists and climatologists divide the year into three-month seasons based on the annual temperature cycle.
At first glance, the answer seems simple. For most of the Northern Hemisphere, fall spans . In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s March, April, and May . However, to truly understand autumn’s place on the calendar, we must navigate the divide between meteorological seasons (based on temperature cycles) and astronomical seasons (based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun). Beyond the science, the months of fall carry profound cultural weight—harvests, holidays, and a psychological shift that has shaped human behavior for millennia. fall is what months
The months of fall are not just empty slots on a grid; they are filled with distinct global traditions. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s March, April, and May
As the days grow significantly shorter, the last of the leaves fall. November is a month of preparation—gathering for Thanksgiving in the U.S. and bracing for the first frosts of winter. The months of fall are not just empty
This definition aligns perfectly with our sensory experience. By September, the heat of summer is demonstrably fading. By November, the last gasps of autumn color are surrendering to the first frosts. For weather forecasting, crop planting, and heating bills, this is the "real" fall.
Let’s walk through the meteorological months of fall, exploring the personality and science of each.