As first day of fall draws near, here’s when leaves begin to change

It's time for pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween costume scouting − fall is just around the corner.

This year, the first day of fall, also known as the autumnal equinox, is set to happen later in September. The autumnal equinox is the precise moment when the sun crosses directly above the Earth's equator, marking the start of the fall season.

Many Americans are looking forward to cooler temperatures ahead, especially after the hottest July on record. However, it could take longer for the warmth to fade because El Niño is ramping up, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.

The Climate Prediction Center's fall temperature outlook map for the United States shows that nearly coast-to-coast above-average temperatures are expected in September through November. This year, September could feel more like an extension of summer than the start of fall.

As the season nears, here's what to know about the first day of fall.

The first day of fall is Tuesday, Sept. 22.

More specifically, this year's autumnal equinox is at 8:04 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

When the leaves begin to change color depends on the location. Here's a look at the Farmer's Almanac predictions for this year:

The Farmer's…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/