It depends entirely on where you are and what you personally call “cold,” but there are some reliable patterns you can use to guess when it will start feeling chilly.

1. What “cold” usually means

Most people start saying “it’s getting cold” when:

  • Daytime highs drop below about 15 °C / 60 °F.
  • You consistently need a sweater or light jacket in the evening.
  • Nights start dipping into the single digits °C / 40s–50s °F for many places.

In colder regions (Midwest, Northeast US, northern Europe), some people don’t call it “cold” until it’s near freezing or below (around 0–2 °C / low 30s °F).

2. Typical seasonal timing by climate

Since I can’t see your exact city, here’s a rough guide by climate zone:

  • Warm coastal / Mediterranean (e.g., Southern California):
    • Hot often lasts through September.
    • Evenings start to feel cooler from October as lows slip into the high 50s °F / mid‑teens °C.
* “Real” chill (hoodie most days) is more like December–February.
  • Humid continental / big northern cities (e.g., NYC, Chicago):
    • September often still warm or pleasantly mild.
    • October–November is when it starts feeling properly cool/cold: you’ll want a jacket most days.
* December through February are the true cold months, often with freezing temps and snow.
  • Cold inland / upper Midwest type climates:
    • First truly cold spells can show up in October–November.
    • By December–January, cold is dominant and you can get long stretches below freezing.
  • Milder oceanic climates (e.g., UK western Europe coasts):
    • You feel a clear cool‑down in September–October.
    • Damp chilly days (where a coat and maybe scarf feel right) become common November–March.

3. How to estimate it for you

Without a precise location, use this quick check:

  1. Look up your “monthly averages” for your city.
  2. Find the first month where:
    • Average highs are under about 18 °C / 65 °F and
    • Average lows are under about 10 °C / 50 °F.
  3. That month is usually when it starts feeling cold, and the next 1–2 months are when it feels solidly cold.

Example: someone in a place similar to New York will usually see that pattern begin in October , with real cold by December.

4. Why it sometimes feels “late”

Even when the calendar says “fall,” it can stay weirdly warm because:

  • Weather patterns can lock in a warm air mass for weeks.
  • Climate change has shifted many regions toward warmer, longer summers, so “real cold” can be delayed into December versus decades ago.

That’s why you’ll see forum posts like “it’s October and still 70 °F, when is it going to get cold?” – and the only honest forecast reply is: “It’s coming.”

5. If you tell me your city

If you share your city or region (even roughly, like “northern UK” or “Pacific Northwest US”), I can tailor this down to:

  • A more specific month‑by‑month expectation.
  • Rough temperature ranges for when you’ll likely need a sweater, heavy coat, or winter gear.