Few seasonal milestones are as anticipated as the start of fall. If you’ve been wondering exactly when fall 2025 begins, the answer is Monday, September 22, 2025—the date of the autumnal equinox.
First day of fall 2025: September 22, 2025 ·
Equinox time (EDT): 2:19 p.m. ·
Equinox time (BST): 7:19 p.m. ·
Fall months (Northern Hemisphere): September, October, November ·
Last day of fall 2025: December 21, 2025 ·
Approximate season length: 90 days
Quick snapshot
- Fall 2025 begins on September 22, 2025 (Space.com)
- Equinox time is 2:19 p.m. EDT / 19:19 BST (Wikipedia)
- Fall ends on December 21, 2025 (winter solstice) (Royal Museums Greenwich)
- The exact equinox second differs by one minute between sources (Wikipedia: 18:19 UTC; Space.com: 18:20 UTC) (Wikipedia)
- Sept 1: Meteorological fall begins (NOAA)
- Sept 22: Autumnal equinox (Space.com) (NOAA)
- Nov 2: Daylight Saving Time ends in US (timeanddate.com)
- Dec 21: Winter solstice – fall ends (Wikipedia)
- Winter begins immediately after the solstice on December 21, 2025 (Royal Museums Greenwich)
The bottom line: The autumnal equinox on September 22 marks the astronomical start, but meteorological fall begins three weeks earlier.
Five key details define the fall 2025 season, from the equinox moment to the end of daylight saving.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Equinox date | September 22, 2025 |
| Equinox time (UTC) | 18:19 |
| Meteorological fall start | September 1, 2025 |
| Daylight Saving Time ends (US) | November 2, 2025 |
| Winter solstice (fall end) | December 21, 2025 |
When exactly is fall 2025?
Fall 2025 officially begins on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the precise moment of the autumnal equinox. According to Wikipedia, the equinox occurs at 18:19 UTC, which translates to 2:19 p.m. EDT and 7:19 p.m. BST. The equinox is the instant when the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading south, marking the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
What time does fall start in 2025?
- EDT: 2:19 p.m. (Space.com)
- BST: 7:19 p.m. (Sky at Night Magazine)
- PDT: 11:19 a.m. (Space.com)
Is fall 2025 on September 22?
Yes, the autumnal equinox falls on September 22 in 2025. Royal Museums Greenwich notes that the equinox can occur between September 21 and 24, but 2025 lands on the 22nd (Royal Museums Greenwich).
This confirms the exact start time for fall 2025 across North America and the UK.
What month is fall 2025 in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, autumn 2025 begins on the same astronomical date: September 22. However, the Met Office also recognizes meteorological autumn, which starts on September 1 (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information).
Does the UK start autumn on a different date?
Astronomically, no. The UK uses the equinox date for the official start. Royal Museums Greenwich states that “astronomical autumn begins at the September equinox” (Royal Museums Greenwich). For many Brits, autumn is simply September, October, and November.
How does the Met Office define autumn?
The UK’s national weather service splits seasons into fixed three-month blocks: autumn runs from September 1 to November 30. This meteorological system aligns with temperature patterns better than the astronomical calendar (NOAA).
If you’re booking a fall getaway in the UK, the meteorological definition means autumn weather starts earlier than the equinox suggests—pack accordingly.
The dual definition means travellers should plan for autumn weather starting in early September.
What are the 3 fall months?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the three months of fall are September, October, and November. This is true for both astronomical and meteorological definitions (Royal Museums Greenwich).
Are the fall months the same everywhere?
No. The Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite seasons. When the Northern Hemisphere enters fall in September, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes spring. Their fall (autumn) spans March, April, and May (Wikipedia).
What are the meteorological fall months?
- Northern Hemisphere: September, October, November (NOAA)
- Southern Hemisphere: March, April, May (Wikipedia)
The pattern: meteorological seasons are fixed to calendar quarters, while astronomical seasons shift with the equinoxes.
Why do Brits call fall autumn?
The name “autumn” entered English from the Latin “autumnus” via Old French, and has been used in Britain since the 12th century (Online Etymology Dictionary). “Fall” originated from the phrase “fall of the leaf” and became the dominant term in North America during the colonial period.
When did ‘fall’ become ‘autumn’?
Both terms have coexisted in English for centuries. By the 17th century, “autumn” was the preferred word in British English, while “fall” gained traction in the American colonies. Today, “fall” is standard in the US and Canada, though “autumn” is understood everywhere (Wikipedia).
Is ‘fall’ used in any other English-speaking countries?
Yes. Canadians use “fall” almost exclusively. Australians and New Zealanders more often say “autumn,” but “fall” is recognized. In the UK, “autumn” is far more common, though “fall” appears in some contexts.
The choice of term is a regional preference, not a factual difference.
When does fall start and end?
Fall 2025 begins on September 22 and ends on December 21, the winter solstice. That gives the season a duration of approximately 90 days in the Northern Hemisphere (Royal Museums Greenwich).
What is the last day of fall 2025?
Sunday, December 21, 2025. The winter solstice occurs at the moment when the Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, marking the end of autumn and the start of winter (Wikipedia).
When does winter start?
Winter begins immediately after the solstice on December 21, 2025. The season runs until the March equinox in 2026.
The astronomical fall season ends precisely at the solstice, giving a 90-day window for autumn activities.
Fall 2025 timeline
- September 1, 2025 – Meteorological fall begins (NOAA)
- September 22, 2025 (18:19 UTC) – Autumnal equinox – astronomical fall begins (Wikipedia)
- November 2, 2025 – Daylight Saving Time ends in the US (clocks fall back) (timeanddate.com)
- December 21, 2025 – Winter solstice – astronomical fall ends (Royal Museums Greenwich)
These four events define the fall season in 2025, from meteorological start to winter solstice.
Confirmed facts
- Fall 2025 begins on September 22, 2025 (Space.com)
- Fall ends on December 21, 2025 (winter solstice) (Royal Museums Greenwich)
What’s unclear
- Equinox time is reported as 2:19 p.m. EDT by Wikipedia but 2:20 p.m. EDT by Space.com (Wikipedia)
- The exact equinox second differs by one minute between sources (18:19 vs 18:20 UTC)
Quotes from experts
“Autumn officially starts on the September equinox and ends on the December solstice.”
— Met Office (UK national weather service) via Met Office
“This year that will be on Monday 22 September at 19:19 BST.”
— BBC Weather (UK public broadcaster) via BBC Weather
For anyone planning seasonal activities in North America or the UK, the choice is clear: September 22 marks the astronomical start of fall, while September 1 works better for climate-based planning. Know which calendar you follow, and you won’t miss a leaf.
För den som vill ha exakta detaljer om datum och tid kan du läsa mer om första dagen av fall 2025 på en annan informationssajt.
Frequently asked questions
What month is fall 2025?
Fall 2025 spans the months of September, October, and November in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is fall 2025?
Fall 2025 is the autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere, starting on the autumnal equinox (September 22) and ending on the winter solstice (December 21).
What is the first full day of fall 2025?
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, because the equinox occurs during the daytime on September 22.
When is fall 2025 in California?
Fall begins in California on September 22, 2025, at 11:19 a.m. PDT (the equinox time in the Pacific time zone).
Does fall start on the same day worldwide?
No. While the equinox happens at the same universal moment, local time zones may shift the date by a day. In the Southern Hemisphere, the September equinox marks the start of spring, not fall.
How long is fall 2025?
Fall 2025 lasts approximately 90 days, from September 22 to December 21.
Why is autumn called fall in America?
The term “fall” comes from the phrase “fall of the leaf” and became the standard term in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, while “autumn” remained more common in Britain.
These answers cover the most common questions about fall 2025 timing and terminology.
Related stories
Jessica Morin covers provincial policy, regional economics and public affairs across Canada.