As summer-like temperatures linger later into the year, Georgians are seeing noticeable changes in what used to be a familiar fall season.
Climate change is altering autumn across the state, affecting everything from temperatures and leaves to allergies and outdoor activities.
Here are five things to know about how climate change is impacting the fall season, as noted by Climate Central, NOAA and other agencies.
1. Fall is arriving later in Georgia
Warmer temperatures are extending summer's effects further into September and October, making it feel like autumn starts later than it once did. Residents are experiencing more hot days well into the traditional fall season.
2. Cool-weather days are becoming less common
The state is seeing fewer crisp fall days
as average temperatures trend upward. The gradual warming is changing seasonal patterns that many Georgians associate with autumn.
3. Changing temperatures can affect fall foliage
Warmer weather can influence the timing and appearance of autumn colors. Shifts in seasonal temperatures may alter when leaves change color and how vibrant fall displays become.
4. Seasonal experiences are being reshaped
From outdoor festivals and football games to pumpkin patches and other fall traditions, warmer conditions are changing how people experience the season across Georgia.
5. Climate change is making seasonal shifts more noticeable
Warmer falls are one of several visible signs that Georgia's climate is changing. Longer-lasting heat and fewer cool days provide everyday examples of broader climate trends affecting the state.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her atEVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information-gathering, review, editing, and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: What happened to fall? Georgia's seasons are shifting
