Blistering 100-degree high temperatures last week may have left Puebloans dreaming of turning leaves, glasses of apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes, and the slight chill in the air that indicates summer is turning to fall.
With kids back in school and the harvest season underway, the end of summer is fast approaching. But when will fall officially hit Pueblo?
Here's when the fall season typically begins in southern Colorado and what may be in store for Pueblo's fall weather.
When is the first day of fall?
There are two ways to define the turn of the season — the astrological way and the meteorological one.
According to the astrological approach, the first day of fall, otherwise known as the autumnal equinox, is about a month and a half away, starting on Sunday, Sept. 22, in the Northern Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, the meteorological calendar, tied more closely to the civil calendar than the astronomical seasons, ties the seasons into groups of three months, with fall beginning Sept. 1 and lasting until the beginning of December.
What is the equinox?
During an equinox, the sun crosses the “celestial equator," which the Farmer's Almanac says is an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the sun’s center passes through this line.
When will Pueblo get cooler?
Unfortunately for those hoping for a cool reprieve from hot weather, Colorado and much of the western United States is likely in for above-average temperatures this fall, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Colorado is also expected to see below-average precipitation, according to the almanac.
This fall is expected to bring a weak La Niña, and as such, Pueblo can anticipate warm and dry temperatures from August through October, according to Meteorologist Kathy Torgerson of the National Weather Service in Pueblo.
Historically, daily average temperatures may start to dip below 80 degrees by mid-September, according to NWS climate data for the area. However, Torgerson noted that daily highs may still reach above 90 degrees. Average temperatures may reach the 70s by mid-October.
Temperatures will start to dip into the 70s the last two weeks of September, according to Accuweather.
How does the Old Farmer's Almanac make predictions? And are they accurate?
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac website, predictions are made by comparing solar activity with weather patterns. It reports using multiple academic disciplines for its predictions, including solar science, climatology, and meteorology.
The weather forecast methodology is the modern version of a formula created by the Old Farmer's Almanac's founder, Robert B. Thomas, in 1792, according to the website.
The Old Farmer's Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate on its predictions.
Accuweather also claims a high degree of accuracy, claiming in 2020 to be the most accurate of 120 million forecasts over a four-year period.
More on fall in Pueblo: What are the best hikes for viewing fall foliage in southern Colorado?
Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: When is the first day of fall 2025 in Pueblo, Colorado?
Comments