FALL IS HERE!

An equinox is the precise time twice a year when the sun shines directly above the earth's equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night. [1, 2]

Key Facts About the Fall Equinox

• When it happens: Twice a year around March 20 (spring) and September 22 (autumn).

• The 2026 autumn equinox: Arrives on September 22, 2026, at 5:05 p.m. PDT (00:05 UTC on Sept. 23).

• Meaning of the name: Comes from Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).

• Day vs. night length: Days are actually a few minutes longer than nights on an equinox due to atmospheric refraction and how sunrise and sunset are measured.

• Seasonal change: Marks the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical spring in the Southern Hemisphere. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Source: https://www.weather.gov/cle/seasons