September has arrived, bringing with it a new crisp chill in the evening air, apple cider doughnuts, football, and pumpkin spice lattes. We're ready for a change from the hot summer months! With the unofficial end-of-summer celebration known as Labor Day Weekend, the first day of fall doesn’t actually come until later. So when is the first day of fall? The date changes based on the fall equinox.




The short answer: the autumnal equinox signifies the first day of fall! In more detail...
There are two equinoxes a year—the autumnal and vernal equinoxes. During these times, the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, causing all latitudes to experience a basically equal amount of daylight and darkness. Those days mark the beginning of fall and the first day of spring! (Unlike the winter and summer solstice when we have the shortest and longest days of the year, respectively.) 
 

If you want to make the most of the first day of fall, set your clocks and enjoy your first pumpkin spice treat as soon as the time comes in your set time zone! According to the National Weather Service:

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Eastern Time @ 2:50 a.m. EDT on September 23

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Central Time @ 1:50 a.m. CST on September 23

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Mountain Time @ 12:50 a.m. MDT on September 23

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Pacific Time @ 11:50 p.m. PDT on September 22