Fall Begins Today!
On the East Coast, leaves are starting to change color and while there is a heat surge in store for much of the nation in the middle of this week, people are starting to think about fall.
As we look ahead to pumpkins, Halloween and hot cider, we have to ask, when does fall start?
The answer depends on which "fall" you are talking about.
For the United States, astronomical fall starts with the fall or autumn equinox, which occurs when the sun is perpendicular to the equator. For East Coast residents, the Fall Equinox occurs this Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 11:09 EDT.
Meteorologists look at seasons in three-month periods. The meteorological fall season began Sept. 1 and ends Nov. 30.
In general, the "reason" behind seasons is the tilt of the Earth's axis, which causes different parts of the planet to receive varying levels of sun exposure at different times of the year.
For example, the Southern Hemisphere enjoys its fall season beginning in March.
While the start of fall depends on which calendar you are considering, daylight saving time is consistent across the country.
Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November, which in 2010 is Nov. 7, at 2 a.m. - almost a full week later than last year.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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