Have you noticed the change in colours of the leaves of the plants or trees etc. around you? It all happens because of the change of season. It is one of the four seasons on the Earth which comes after the summer season and comes before the winter season. Here, we will be talking about this season only. We will learn about the autumn fall, autumn season’s meaning or definition, autumn months, temperature and climate, how seasons change, autumn time, etc. This article will help you to understand the base of the geographical phenomenon and helps to understand one of the seasons on earth and its various features.
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Autumn Meaning
Autumn is a “Latin” word that first appeared in the 14th century. It is also known as harvest or fall. It comes in between the seasons of summer and winter and it works as a transitional season between the two. It is the time when the temperature starts reducing and the weather starts bringing changes and becomes neither too hot nor too cold. In India, we have 6 seasons namely Summer, Monsoon, Autumn, Pre winter, Winter, and Spring. Autumn in Hindi is known as Sharad Ritu.
Definition
According to the Oxford dictionary, “ autumn is the season of the year between summer and winter when leaves change color and the weather becomes colder”
Change of Seasons
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Our planet is tilted by 23.5° and if it is not tilted then half earth would face the day and half earth would face night but we know that it is not the case here. We experience seasons because of a number of factors such as the earth’s tilt, angle of incidence, division of the earth into equator, tropic of cancer, tropic of Capricorn, and the apparent movement of the sun. Our earth experiences four seasons i.e summer, autumn, winter, spring. Where the sun is directly overhead, that region of the Earth experiences maximum temperature which leads to summers and further the cycle continues.
In Northern Hemisphere
Here, the Autumn season comes after the summer season, and regions experience autumn during September. At this time, the southern hemisphere experiences the spring season.
In Southern Hemisphere
Here, the Autumn season comes after the summer season but during the period of March. At this time, there is spring season in the northern hemisphere.
Difference Between Spring and Autumn
Autumn always comes after the summer season and spring comes after the winter season. In autumn, the temperature gradually decreases and in spring the temperature starts increasing. The Autumnal Equinox is related to the autumn season and the term vernal equinox is related to the spring season.
Autumn starts in the Northern hemisphere around the time of the month of September and lasts till all the cold winter months. It is mostly experienced by people around the globe towards the end of the year. Nights become longer than days and days last for a short time. Whereas, spring starts in the Northern hemisphere around the time of the month of March and lasts till all the summer months. It is mostly experienced by people around the globe at the beginning of the year. Days become longer than nights and nights last for a short time.
The Autumn season is well known as the cooling-off season as the temperatures everywhere start to go down and drop. And it is also known as the fall season. On the other hand, during the spring season temperatures start to rise in the daytime as it starts nearing the summer season.
The ecological variations brought about in the period of the autumn and spring seasons are also fairly opposing to one another. While the trees of most deciduous forests turn into lovely shades of orange, red, in addition yellow throughout the autumn season, spring brings forth a conflicting impact on flora. The spring season is marked by the growing of floras and of new leaves on trees.
All of these seasons are allied with very diverse connotations that are basically used in storybook works. Owing to its natural values, the season of autumn is related with wind-ups, whereas the spring season is related to the progress of new leaves and plants is a sign of new life.
The climatic alterations that go with each of these times of year are also unfriendly to one another. While autumn is typically known as the ‘cooling-off season’, the spring season starts with an equal increase in temperatures, in groundwork for the forthcoming summer months.
Temperature and Climate
The weather in the region starts changing gradually and the temperature starts decreasing. Generally, it is a season between the summers and the winters but in some areas, it also brings rainfall with itself. For example in India, the monsoon comes after the summer season and succeeds by the autumn and winter season. In some temperate regions, it is also the time of harvesting crops. People generally love autumn weather because it is neither too cold nor too hot. People enjoy this season and love to celebrate various festivals and traditions or occasions etc. but Autumn 2020 was the worst because of the Covid-19 pandemic and people did not get a chance to enjoy the beauty of this season.
Vegetation and Wildlife
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It is one of the beautiful seasons of the year in which plants and trees start changing their colours. You will experience colours of autumn such as golden, yellow, orange and red, etc. It is the time when plants and trees start shedding their leaves as well. It is also a season of harvest on one side and a season of new crops on the other side. Apple, blackberry, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, mustard, spinach, garlic, etc. are grown in this season.
This is a period of transition from one extreme season to another i.e from summers to winters. Animals start preparation for the winter season. Thicker fur grows on the bodies of the animals so that they are able to survive the winters. For example, rabbits, cats, dogs, birds, etc. Some animals go to hibernation where they keep their body temperature low and save their energy. For example, chipmunks or skunks, etc. Some animals start finding places like under the trees or rocks or caves etc. Birds start to migrate from one colder region to some warmer places.
Autumn Traditions
It is quite a good time to celebrate any occasion or tradition or festival. A number of festivals or traditions are being celebrated during this period. For example, Dia de Muertos, Chuseok, Thanksgiving, Dussehra, and Diwali, etc.
Reasons as to why Autumn is Considered the Best Season of All!
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You can catch some birds in the course of migration
The fall is the time of the year when many species of birds make their way to the warmer climes towards the south in preparation for the upcoming chilly winter months. While each and every species has its own path, there are a few popular “flyways” where keen people from all over take the trip to have a look at the view.
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You can be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the harvest moon
The full moon appears during the time of the autumn equinox when the Earth’s equator is utmost closely lining up with the centre of the sun, and the sun becomes brighter and rises before the full moon. This phenomenon happens around the months of September or October.
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It is the best time to enjoy a campfire
While some people might also enjoy camping trips during the summer season, the fall, when leaves are altering their colour and the air is a bit cold, is debatably the best time to get out in nature. A campfire can be best enjoyed during this time with friends and family.
Conclusion
Thus, here we have covered the autumn season and its various features. We come to know about the meaning of autumn, autumn months, and timing, etc. We learned actually how this change comes and how seasons change. This article will help you to understand the very basic concept of seasons and will help you in studying Geography or Earth Science.It is important to learn about seasons so that we can be aware of the passage of time and also for general knowledge. While some changes are obvious like hot and cold weather, changing seasons precisely is very fascinating and is also something everyone must be aware of.
Did You Know?
Dia de Muertos is a kind of a tradition when people paint their faces and take part in the parades etc. to remember their loved ones to whom they have lost in their lives and this tradition is being followed to remember and honor them.