The signs of autumn's approach are starting, even if Greater Cincinnati's weather isn't cooperating (so put the pumpkin spice back).
While school might be in full swing and football season is nearly here, the Queen City is under a heat advisory until Sept. 3 at 8 p.m., with temperatures expected to reach 97 degrees, according to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington.
So, how much summer do we have left? And when does fall actually begin? Here's a look.
When does summer end?
One of two dates marks the change of the season, depending on who you ask, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac:
- First is the astronomical date, based on the position of the Earth around the Sun. According to that, summer ends on Monday, Sept. 21.
- Second is the meteorological date, based on the 12-month calendar and annual temperature changes. According to that, summer already ended on Monday, Aug. 31.
When does fall actually begin?
Fall officially begins at 8:04 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, according to the astronomical date. That's when the autumnal equinox happens in the Northern Hemisphere. According
to the meteorological start date, the seasons change on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
What is the autumnal equinox?
The Earth experiences two equinoxes each year, in the spring and fall. They occur when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a nearly equal amount of day and night across the planet, according to the National Weather Service.
After the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the nights will get longer and longer and the days shorter and shorter until the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.
What causes the seasons?
The seasons are caused by the Earth's axis and its relation to the sun, according to the National Weather Service.
During summer, the Earth's axis is tilted toward the sun, resulting in longer days and more exposure to the sun's warming rays. In winter, the situation is reversed. The Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun, creating shorter days and less exposure to the sun.
Chad Murphy contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is summer over? When does fall begin? All about the changing seasons
