Is December considered fall? According to the meteorological calendar, no; December 1st marks the start of winter. However, astronomically, roughly the first three weeks of December are still considered fall, ending on the Winter Solstice (around Dec 21st).
Why is it called both "Fall" and "Autumn"?
Once upon a time, in a world tilted at a perfect 23.5 degrees, there lived two sisters who lived on opposite sides of the Great Equator. They were called North and South, and they had a very peculiar way of sharing the year.
Whenever North put on her favorite orange sweater to watch the leaves turn gold, South was busy planting fresh flowers and greeting the sun. The North’s Harvest
In the Northern Hemisphere, Fall (or Autumn) was a cozy transition from the blazing heat of summer to the icy quiet of winter. North knew Fall was arriving when the calendar hit September.
September: The month of the "Equal Night," or the Autumnal Equinox. This was the official start, usually around September 22nd, when day and night were perfectly balanced.
October: The heart of the season, filled with pumpkins, harvest moons, and crisp air. what months are the fall
November: The final bow of the season, where the last leaves fell and the first frosts whispered of the coming winter. The South’s Golden Hour
The question "What months are the fall?" changes drastically based on your latitude and climate.
In the United States, fall is synonymous with the "Back to School" season (which now often starts in late August) and the arrival of Halloween and Thanksgiving.
It is important to remember that the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere (countries like Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America and Africa). Because the Earth is tilted, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun (summer), the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away (winter).
Therefore, in the Southern Hemisphere, the months of fall are:
While Americans are celebrating spring in April, Australians are harvesting pumpkins and watching leaves fall. Is December considered fall
The answer depends on whether you're following the meteorological definition (based on annual temperature cycles) or the astronomical definition (based on Earth's position relative to the sun). Here’s the breakdown:
1. Meteorological Fall (Used for climate records and forecasting)
2. Astronomical Fall (Based on equinoxes and solstices)
Quick Summary Table (Northern Hemisphere)
| Definition | Fall Months | | :--- | :--- | | Meteorological | September, October, November | | Astronomical | Late September – Late December (exact dates vary) |
Which one should you use?
🍂 Tip: In the Southern Hemisphere, fall (called autumn) occurs during March, April, and May for both definitions.
So whether you’re chasing pumpkin spice or tracking equinoxes, now you know exactly when fall arrives.
In the Northern Hemisphere, fall (or autumn) is primarily identified as the months of September, October, and November
. However, the exact timeframe depends on whether you are using a meteorological or astronomical definition. Seasonal Definition Report 1. Meteorological Fall
Meteorologists define seasons by grouping the 12 calendar months into four 3-month periods based on the annual temperature cycle. Northern Hemisphere: September 1 to November 30. Southern Hemisphere: March 1 to May 31.
This fixed system makes it easier for scientists to track and compare weather data year-over-year. 2. Astronomical Fall Once upon a time, in a world tilted at a perfect 23
Astronomical seasons are based on the Earth's position relative to the sun and are the dates typically seen on most calendars.
