When Is the First Day of Fall? All About the 2024 Autumnal Equinox

Curious about when fall officially begins this year and why the date shifts? We’ve got all the details you need to know! 🌐 #News #StPaulMN #Minnesota #AutumnalEquinox

ST. PAUL, MN – The first day of fall is just around the corner, bringing cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and all the things we love about the season (here’s looking at you, Pumpkin Spice Lattes). But when does fall officially start in 2024?

Here in Minnesota (and in the rest of the Northern Hemisphere), the first day of fall will be on Sunday, September 22, 2024. This is known as the autumnal equinox. On this day, the length of day and night will be nearly equal, signaling the change from summer to autumn.

If you love planning ahead, here’s the first day of fall in 2025 and beyond:

2025: Monday, September 22, 2025
2026: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
2027: Wednesday, September 22, 2027
2028: Friday, September 22, 2028

Why Does the Date Change?

The autumnal equinox typically falls on either September 22 or 23. The reason for this slight variation is because of the way our calendar aligns with Earth’s orbit. A full orbit around the sun takes about 365.25 days, but our calendar year is 365 days, with an extra day added every four years (leap year). This difference causes the equinox date to shift slightly over time.

In rare cases, the equinox can fall on September 21 or 24. For example, the last time the equinox was on September 21 was in 1931. However, it won’t happen again until the year 2092.

Changing leaves in autumn. When Is the First Day of Fall?

What Happens During the Autumnal Equinox?

The term “equinox” comes from Latin, meaning “equal night.” It’s the time of year when most places on Earth experience nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness.

The autumnal equinox marks the midpoint between the longest day of the year (the summer solstice) and the shortest day of the year (the winter solstice). After this day, the nights will gradually become longer as we head toward winter.

Signs of Fall

As the first day of fall approaches, you might notice a few telltale signs of the changing season:

Leaves changing color: Many trees begin to turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Cooler temperatures: Mornings become crisper, and the days start to feel cooler overall.

Migrating birds: Many bird species begin their journey south to escape the colder weather.

Squirrels gathering food: You’ll often see squirrels busily preparing for winter by collecting acorns and nuts.

The Autumnal Equinox and Time Zones

For us Minnesotans, the exact moment of the equinox will occur at 7:44 a.m. Central Time (CDT) in 2024.

Depending on where your friends and family live, the times will vary:

Eastern Daylight Time: 8:44 a.m. EDT
Central Time: 7:44 a.m. CDT
Mountain Time: 6:44 a.m. MDT
Pacific Time: 5:44 a.m. PDT

At this moment, the sun will be directly over the equator, signaling the beginning of fall. Experts note that this is precisely the best time to run to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Ok, I made that last part up. Hehe!

Cozy autumn scene with books and latte. When Is the First Day of Fall?

Fun Facts About the Autumn Equinox

Since we’re talking all things fall, here’s some fun facts you could use to impress your friends (or that cute barista):

Increased Northern Lights Activity

Around the time of the equinox, the chances of seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis) increase, especially for those in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Mayan Celebrations

Ancient Mayan civilizations built the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá to mark equinoxes. On both the fall and spring equinoxes, a shadow resembling a serpent appears on the pyramid’s steps.

Sun Outages

The solar energy during the equinox can cause minor disruptions in satellite communications, leading to brief outages.

Autumn leaves in a heart shape. When Is the First Day of Fall?

Embrace Everything Beautiful

As the autumnal equinox approaches, it’s a reminder of the natural balance and transitions that define the changing seasons.

Whether you’re looking forward to cooler days, colorful landscapes, or simply a fresh start, the first day of fall is a perfect opportunity to embrace everything this beautiful time of year has to offer!

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