1. Fall arrives today at 9:31 am.
The autumnal equinox is the astronomical start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere and of the spring season in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. On the equinox, the center of the sun is above the horizon for 12 hours.
After the equinox, the sun begins to rise later and nightfall comes sooner. This ends with the winter solstice, when days start to grow longer and nights shorter.
3. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the fall equinox.
This year that full moon rises on Oct. 1.
4. Leaves will begin changing color soon, particularly further north.
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that helps the tree grow. As days shorten, veins in the tree close and chlorophyll is not replenished. As its green color fades, other pigments become visible.
5. AccuWeather predicts a colorful fall in the Southeast.
Some of the best colors this year are expected across the southern Appalachians, it predicts. Typically, the peak season for fall foliage in the southern Appalachians is around the last week in October.