What Months Are The Fall 〈2026 Update〉
Historically, autumn is the primary season for harvesting crops, ranging from pumpkins and apples to corn and squash. This is heavily reflected in cultural celebrations like Thanksgiving and harvest festivals.
This holds true for both meteorological definitions and the general public understanding. Astronomical definitions use the same months but with specific start and end dates that shift slightly each year.
Farmers and gardeners need to know when fall begins to plan:
Here is a breakdown of the different ways we determine the months of autumn. what months are the fall
Meteorological fall: September, October, November. Astronomical: late September to late December. Most Europeans refer to autumn as those three calendar months.
It’s easy to forget that while the Northern Hemisphere is preparing for pumpkins, the Southern Hemisphere is preparing for peonies. Because the Earth is tilted, the seasons are reversed.
: 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 Historically, autumn is the primary season for harvesting
Begins around September 21–23 and ends at the winter solstice around December 20–22 .
According to this definition:
While meteorological definitions match the rest of Europe, older Celtic calendars traditionally mark August 1 ( Lughnasadh ) as the official beginning of the harvest season. Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall? Astronomical definitions use the same months but with
Meteorologists and climatologists use a different system. They break the seasons into three-month blocks based on the annual temperature cycle rather than the stars. This makes it much easier for them to calculate monthly weather statistics. September, October, and November. The Start: September 1st. The End: November 30th.
The focus shifts indoors to cozy clothing, comfort foods, and major holidays like Thanksgiving in the United States. Fall in the Southern Hemisphere
