It's Meteorological Fall! Here's the Outlook

Our weather seasons are broken up a little bit differently than the astronomical seasons. In astronomy, we look to Sunday, September 22, 2024 as the official start of fall. The Autumnal Equinox will happen around 8 a.m. ET that Sunday, when the sun's rays move directly over the Equator. It's a moment in time when Earth gets equal day and night, 12 hours of each.

The first day of Meteorological Fall was September 1, and continues through November 30 when Meteorological Fall ends. Our weather seasons are split into even three-month periods for easier record keeping.

So, welcome to Fall! The weather outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows much of the Lower 48 having higher chances of remaining warmer-than-average during September, October, and November.

This does not mean it won't get chilly or cool. Short-term cold weather patterns will still be possible. But when the three-month period is summed up, it will likely be warmer-than-average.

The outlook for September, October, and November calls for drier-than-average weather for parts of the Desert Southwest, Four Corners, Southern/Central Plains, and lower Pacific Coast. The Northwest coast and East Coasts will be wetter-than-average.