Autumn equinox: When does UK autumn start in 2022?
The leaves are turning golden and the air feels cooler, but when exactly does autumn start? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the autumn equinox, including when it officially starts according to the astronomical and meteorological calendar. Time to wrap up warm...
When does autumn start in the UK?
The first day of autumn all depends on what calendar you follow. According to the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn was Thursday 1st September 2022. However, the astronomical calendar is based on the position of the Sun in relation to the Earth and changes each year — known as autumn equinox. This year, it falls on Friday 23rd September 2022.
According to the RMG, there is also a third way of defining autumn, known as phenological indicators. This is where events, such as leaves falling off the trees and the migration of birds, indicates that autumn has started. This, of course, is greatly influenced by weather and climate, causing autumn to start earlier or later than standard definitions.
What happens on the autumnal equinox?
The autumn equinox marks the start of autumn as the night becomes longer than the day. According to the Met Office, day and night will be around the same length which is evident in the word's origin derived from the Latin equi (meaning 'equal') and nox (meaning 'night').
"On the autumn equinox, day and night are of roughly equal length and the nights will become increasingly longer than the days," explains the Met Office. "Until the spring equinox, when the pattern is reversed. It also marks the time of year when the northern hemisphere begins to tilt away from the Sun, resulting in less direct sunlight and consequently the cooling temperatures."
When does autumn end?
The autumn season is defined by three months: September, October and November. According to the meteorological calendar, autumn this year will end on Wednesday 30th October 2022. Meanwhile, if you follow the astronomical calendar, autumn will end on Wednesday 21st December 2022.
Time to clean off your welly boots and head out on an autumn walk...
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