Autumn is a transitional season between summer and winter. So is autumn warm or cold? The answer depends on where you live and what part of autumn it is. In general, autumn starts out warm and gradually gets cooler as it progresses towards winter.
Weather in Early Autumn
The weather in early autumn is usually still quite warm, especially during the day. This is because even as the days get shorter after the summer solstice, the Earth is still retaining a lot of heat from the summer. However, you may notice the nights start to feel chillier. This decrease in nighttime temperatures happens as there are longer periods without direct sunlight to warm the surface.
Early autumn is a time when warm daytime highs meet cooler nighttime lows. For example, highs in the 70s°F (low to mid 20s°C) are common during the day while lows drop into the 40s or 50s°F (single digits to low teens°C). This means the average temperature in early fall is still mild to warm.
Cooling Temperatures in Mid Autumn
Once autumn is in full swing, generally around mid-season, temperatures really start their downward slide. As Earth’s northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, more indirect sunlight and shorter days cause the loss of heat. While we receive the same amount of daylight over a year, the shorter autumn days mean faster cooling.
Daily high temperatures in mid autumn tend to top out near 60°F (15°C), with lows dipping into the 30s and 40s°F (single digits °C). While this is cooler than early autumn, mid season temperatures are still mild compared to late autumn and winter. But the drop from summertime heat becomes apparent.
Late Autumn Cold
Late autumn brings a transition towards winter chill. November features highs in the 40s and 50s°F (single digits to low teens °C) while lows freeze in the 20s and 30s°F (-2 to 0°C). This is generally cold enough for frost, freezing rain, and light snow to occur.
As autumn comes to an end in December, temperatures resemble winter. December highs reach around freezing or only slightly above, with lows in the 20s°F (-5 to -2°C). Of course at this point, winter is right around the corner!
Regional Temperature Differences
While this describes the general cooling trend through autumn, temperatures vary by location. Here are some regional differences:
| Region | Early Fall Temps | Mid Fall Temps | Late Fall Temps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast US | High 60s to 70s°FLow 40s to 50s°F | High 50s°FLow 30s to 40s°F | High 40s°FLow 20s to 30s°F |
| Southeast US | High 70s to 80s°FLow 50s to 60s°F | High 60s to 70s°FLow 40s to 50s°F | High 50s to 60s°FLow 30s to 40s°F |
| Midwest US | High 60s to 70s°FLow 40s to 50°F | High 50s to 60s°FLow 30s to 40°F | High 40s°FLow 20s to 30°F |
| Southwest US | High 80s to 90s°FLow 50s to 60s°F | High 70s to 80s°FLow 40s to 50s°F | High 60s°FLow 30s to 40°F |
| Northwest US | High 60s to 70s°FLow 40s°F | High 50s°FLow 30s to 40°F | High 40s°FLow 20s to 30°F |
| UK & Ireland | High mid 60s°FLow low 50s°F | High mid 50s°FLow low 40s°F | High mid 40s°FLow low 30s°F |
As you can see, autumn cools significantly from September to November across various climate zones. But the southeast US maintains warmer temps than the northeast in all stages due to geographic location. Elevation affects temperatures as well, with higher elevations being colder.
Precipitation Changes
In addition to dropping temps, autumn brings a change in rainfall patterns. As the jet stream shifts southward and mid-latitude cyclones increase, autumn features wetter weather.
Early autumn still receives lingering rainfall from tropical systems. The equinox in mid-September also triggers increasing storms. Late autumn rainfall and snowfall continues to pick up as the storm track strengthens even further. Precipitation patterns vary by region based on geography and prevailing winds.
Conclusion
While autumn starts out warm, temperatures gradually decline through the season, making late fall chilly to cold. The extent of cooling depends on location and regional climate factors like latitude and elevation. Precipitation also increases as storm frequency and intensity rises. So the answer to “is autumn warm or cold?” – it depends on what part of autumn and where you live! But overall, it transitions from warm to cold conditions.
