As summer starts to wind down, many North Texans are counting down the days to feel a fall breeze.
For some Texans, it may not feel like fall until the first Dallas Cowboys regular-season game or until the first corny dog gets fried at the State Fair.
But when does fall officially start? In short, it depends on who you ask.
When is the first day of fall?
If you go by the astronomical measurement, the first day of fall arrives on the autumnal equinox. The equinoxes, which occur once in the fall and once in the spring, are when there is nearly an equal amount of day and darkness at all latitudes across the planet, according to the National Weather Service.
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The 2025 fall equinox will be Monday, September 22 at 1:19 p.m. The season lasts until the winter solstice on December 21.
The National Weather Service counts seasons differently, instead using three-month groups. For weather data, fall is the months of September, October and November.
AdvertisementWhat will the weather be like this fall?
The Climate Prediction Center, part of the weather service, forecasted that the fall months will be hotter than normal in North Texas. While the forecast doesn't say how far above the average the temperature might climb, it has a 40% to 60% chance of being above normal.
For reference, the monthly average highs for D-FW are 88 degrees in September, 78 degrees in October and 66 degrees in November.
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The seasonal forecast also predicted a slight chance of less rain than normal for most of Texas, with a particularly dry autumn expected for the panhandle. North Texas's rainiest season is usually spring, but a second wetter period often arrives in the middle of fall.
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The Farmers' Almanac also makes fall and winter forecasts, which can generate a lot of buzz. While The Scientific American said some scientists doubt its tactics and accuracy, it does forecast slightly different circumstances for Texas's fall.
The almanac predicted a seasonably warm, dry start to the season, but suggested that the end of fall could bring more precipitation to the state. It's also forecasting a colder and wetter winter than normal, which could bring snow and freezing rain to D-FW.