The autumnal equinox heralds the arrival of fall in the northern hemisphere, and it's just around the corner. Here's what to know.

The official first day of fall, otherwise known as the autumnal equinox, is this weekend in the Northern Hemisphere. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is one of only two days, the other being the vernal equinox, when the sun is directly above the Equator, essentially dividing night and day into equal portions.

During an equinox, places around the globe experience nearly equal amounts of daytime and nighttime. The second occurrence this year happens on Sunday.

The beginning of the autumnal equinox is upon us. Here’s the day it falls on in 2024 and what it actually means.

The autumnal equinox on Sept. 22 marks the start of fall, bringing equal day and night in the Northern Hemisphere.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Welcome fall! The autumnal equinox—the September equinox or the fall equinox—arrives on Sunday, September 22. Not only do temperatures drop, but plant life slows down, and so do we. Read about the first day of fall, plus some fun facts and folklore.

The autumnal equinox is considered the first day of fall, but it’s so much more than that. The word equinox comes from two Latin words: “aequus,” meaning equal, and “nox,” meaning night, the National Weather Service explains on its website.