US Trends

when is autumn in america

Autumn in America (also called fall) usually runs from late September to late December, with many people treating it as September through November.

Official season dates

There are two common ways Americans define when autumn is in the United States:

  • Astronomical autumn
    • Starts: Around September 22–23 (autumnal equinox).
    • Ends: Around December 21–22 (winter solstice).
  • Meteorological autumn
    • Starts: September 1.
    • Ends: November 30.

Both are correct; one is science-based (Sun and Earth position), the other is based on temperature and climate stats.

How most people use it day to day

In everyday American life, people usually feel that autumn is:

  • Starting: After Labor Day (first Monday in September).
  • Peaking: Through October (classic “fall vibes,” changing leaves, Halloween).
  • Winding down: By late November, around or just after Thanksgiving.

After that, most people start calling it “winter,” even though astronomical autumn can last into late December.

Why dates can differ

There’s a small clash between official and “felt” seasons:

  • Astronomical definition : Follows equinoxes and solstices.
  • Meteorological definition : Follows calendar months and average temperatures.
  • Cultural definition : Tied to school starting, sports seasons, holidays, and weather patterns people notice.

Forum discussions often highlight this split, with users noting that “official” fall runs to late December but that, emotionally, it starts early September and ends after Thanksgiving.

Quick reference table

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Type of autumn Typical start Typical end How Americans use it
Astronomical autumn Sept 22–23 (equinox)Dec 21–22 (solstice)Official season definition in many references.
Meteorological autumn Sept 1Nov 30Used by weather agencies and climatologists.
Everyday “fall” feeling Early Sept (after Labor Day)Late Nov (after Thanksgiving)Common cultural sense of when fall happens.
**TL;DR:** Autumn in America is officially late September to late December, but most people think of it as September through November, especially from just after Labor Day to just after Thanksgiving.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.