TYLER, TX — The first day of fall happens to be Saturday September 22. While many will hardly notice this passing at first, or maybe celebrate it with a pumpkin flavored drink, few of us stop to consider why this is the first day of the third season. The answer really is simple, but it has to do with some large objects which are floating through space.
What makes Sept. 22nd the first day of fall?
The answer as to what makes Sept 22nd the first day of fall is actually related to the sun. You see September 22nd is also the date of the astronomical event called the Autumn Equinox. This occurs when the northern hemisphere is transitioning from summer to fall and the rays from the sun fall directly over the equator. Additionally, for both hemispheres, on this day the length of the night and the day are exactly the same, or really close to it. In fact equinox is actually Latin for "equal nights". After this date the nights will all be longer than the days and cooler weather begins to move in.
Now fall is not to be confused with meteorological fall, which began on September 1st. The significance of this date is only related to making it easier to track weather records and seasonal averages. Meteorological fall runs from the first day of September to the last day of November.
Hopefully you enjoy the change in the seasons, and keep watching CBS 19 as the weather gets cooler and the nights get longer.
Have a great first day of fall!
-- Meteorologist Michael Behrens
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