When Is Fall In America -

Following the equinox, nights become progressively longer than days until the winter solstice.

No matter the date, fall is a fleeting, beloved season of transition. As poet George Cooper wrote, "The goldenrod is yellow; the corn is turning brown; the trees in apple orchards with fruit are bending down." In America, that magical window arrives just as the summer heat fades, and before the winter chill sets in.

For many, fall (often called "autumn") evokes images of crisp air, vibrant foliage, pumpkin patches, and the lead-up to Thanksgiving. But pinning down exactly when fall occurs in the United States is not as simple as looking at a single date on the calendar. The answer depends on whether you are following the stars, the thermometer, or the local leaf color.