Is Summer Nearly Over?

Oh is summer really nearly over! What summer I hear you reply.

This year has been one of those where it started well and then deteriorated, having days when it could be any season of the year.

I can't quite believe that this weekend is the first of September and according to the Meteorological Seasons Autumn is on its way.

The children are going back to school and the evenings are starting to draw in.

According to meteorologists summer ends on 31 August and autumn begins on 1 September as they use the Gregorian calendar. However astronomers say that autumn begins on Sunday 22 September 2024 which is the date of the Autumn equinox.

Meteorological Seasons:
Spring : March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November
Winter: December, January, February

Astronomical Seasons:
Spring Equinox - 20/21 March
Summer Solstice - 21/22 June
Autumn Equinox - 22/23 September
Winter Solstice - 21/22 December

The definition of autumn:

Autumn is the season between summer and winter when the temperature decreases, days become shorter and the nights longer. It is often called 'fall' in the US as the leaves begin to fall off the trees. This term was used in England in the 17th century and the word autumn came into use from the French automne in the 18th century.

It is often a misconception that leaves change colour in the autumn but this is because there is less daylight during the months of autumn.

The sun is much lower in the sky in autumn and this is when birds and butterflies migrate along with the path of the sun.



When is the Autumn Equinox?

In 2024 the Autumn Equinox will be on Sunday 22 September.

Why is it called Equinox?

The word comes from the Latin aequus meaning ‘equal’ and nox meaning ‘night’. On the day of an equinox, day and night are of approximately equal length all over the world, as the Earth's rotational axis is neither tilted away from nor towards the Sun. At all other times the length of day and night will be different.