Why fall should actually begin on September 1

Fall might not officially begin until Sept. 22 with the autumnal equinox , but meteorologists and climatologists actually consider Sept. 1 the beginning of autumn.

This is because the astronomical seasons are based on the Earth 's position relative to the Sun , while "climatological" or "meteorological" seasons are divided into three-month periods based on the temperatures that would be expected during each season.

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For example, summer is the hottest time of the year and winter is the coldest time of the year , with fall and spring being the transition seasons. So, instead of focusing on the Earth’s orientation to the Sun, these so-called meteorological seasons are solely classified by the annual temperature cycle across the wo