Common weather events during the fall or autumn season

As cool temperatures arrive, snow, increased rain, and the potential for hurricanes are often not far behind. But what specific weather events are common each fall in North America? SERVPRO® details seven weather events.

Fall is a unique season, signifying the end of summer and beginning the transition from warmer to cooler weather in North America. But what specific weather events are associated with this season? Are there specific weather threats to be aware of, once Labor Day arrives, kids return to school, and beach vacations wind down? This article outlines common fall weather events, and how SERVPRO^® can help when storm damage or other severe weather strikes.

What Does the Fall Season Involve?

Before diving into specific weather events common during fall, let us establish what the season of fall is in the first place. As NC State University’s Climate Education resource indicates, fall (or autumn) is the third season of the year; it officially starts when the autumnal equinox occurs.

The autumnal equinox indicates the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. During the autumnal equinox, the Northern Hemisphere experiences less hours of daylight and sees less of the sun’s rays. This contributes to the cooling temperatures and changing leaves, as they stop their food-making process (noted by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry).

Are Fall and Autumn the Same?

Interestingly, while “fall” and “autumn” are often used interchangeably to refer to the third season of the year, they actually have different meanings. In fact, according to The Weather Channel, there is a distinct difference between “fall” and “autumn.”

As they indicate, “fall” refers to trees shedding their leaves. It was initially coined in the 1600s, referring specifically to deciduous trees losing their leaves. Conversely, “autumn” has been used since the 1300s, and is derived from the Latin word “autumnus.” This refers to the time between summer and winter, along with the end of harvest.

Common Weather Events Each Fall

As The Weather Channel and AccuWeather indicate, there are a variety of weather events that tend to occur each fall, which include:

Severe weather (like thunderstorms and tornadoes).
Early snowstorms before winter.
Early frost and freezing temperatures (which can damage plants).
A still-active hurricane season (which runs through November).
A potential increase in fog and low visibility.
Offshore winds, causing hot temperatures and wildfire dangers (often caused by the Santa Ana winds).
Low pressure systems traveling southward, which can increase precipitation in the Western United States.

We go into detail on each of these below.

Severe Weather

Thunderstorms and tornadoes are particularly common in the fall, due to the collision of warm, humid air still lingering from summer, and the cold, dry air of wintertime slowly moving in. In addition to tornadoes, hailstorms are also possible.

While there are less recorded tornadoes during fall, there is still a significant chance, so it cannot be discounted.

Early Snowstorms Before Winter

With fall comes dipping temperatures. Sometimes, these temperatures are so low that snow arrives before winter officially begins. In fact, as The Weather Channel notes, mountain states in the west often see snow by mid to late September. By October, the Northern Plains, high elevations in Western states, northern New England, and northern Michigan see snow. By November and early December, most of the country has seen its first measurable snowfall. This includes the Northeast, Southern Rockies, and Midwest regions.

AccuWeather goes on to state that when snow falls in the autumn, it is often heavy and wet, since leaves are still on trees and can accumulate snow. This may cause tree branches to snap or break, which could damage cars, homes, block roadways, and/or cause power outages.

Early Frost and Freezing Temperatures

With snow comes lower temperatures. And with lower temperatures, frost might occur. As AccuWeather’s Senior Meteorologist Andy Mussoline notes, rural areas are most susceptible to early season frost, which can harm or damage sensitive plants.

The Weather Channel States that the standard freezing temperature of 32º Fahrenheit (0º Celsius) tends to occur when fall officially begins (in areas close to the Canadian border, and higher elevations in the Western United States).

Usually, by the end of October, the Midwest, Northeast, and even parts of the South have experienced their first freeze. November often sees freezing occur in the coastal mid-Atlantic and Deep South.

Active Hurricane Season

While it is easy to associate hurricane season with summer, the reality is that hurricane season extends all the way through November. In fact:

The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season is from June 1^st to November 30^th.
The Eastern Pacific Ocean hurricane season is from May 15^th to November 30^th.
The Central Pacific, where Hawaii is located, experiences hurricane season from June 1^st to November 30^th.

Therefore, depending on where you live (especially if you live in a coastal area or a state bordering the ocean), remember that hurricanes still have the potential to strike throughout the fall season.

In fact, as AccuWeather notes, some notable late-season hurricanes include:

Hurricane Hazel, which struck North and South Carolina in 1954.
Hurricane Wilma, which struck Florida in 2005.
Hurricane Sandy, which struck the Mid-Atlantic states in 2012.

Fog and Low Visibility

As Mussoline notes, “There is a significant increase in fog events during the fall primarily due to longer and cooler nights.” He goes on to state that fog tends to develop overnight, lasting into early or mid-morning. Because fog can decrease visibility when driving, disrupt airline travel, and more, it is important to be cautious when navigating fog.

Offshore Winds

During the fall season, high pressure moves over the interior western region of the United States. This causes offshore gales (like the Santa Ana winds) to move through canyons and other areas in Southern California, which can contribute to hot temperatures and potentially cause wildfires. The added low humidity and dry vegetation of the fall season in these areas can also contribute to a high potential for wildfires.

Notably, as Robert Fovell, Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, notes, the Santa Ana winds tend to occur from September to May. However, they tend to gain the most attention in October.

Low Pressure Systems

As The Weather Channel indicates, the further we move into fall, the further south jet streams tend to go, which can increase the amount of precipitation in the west. Some areas, like the Pacific Northwest, often experience the largest amount of rainfall in October and November.

No Matter the Weather Event, SERVPRO is Here to Help^® Clean and Restore

As you can see, the fall season is full of unique and various weather events that might cause property damage. Whether you require cleanup and restoration services after a frozen pipe bursts, or extensive rebuilding and reconstruction services after your house catches fire, SERVPRO is here to help with 24-hour emergency services.

There are 2260 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, full of educated technicians prepared to tackle any size disaster. Autumn often brings a wide variety of temperature fluctuations, and with this transition, accidents causing flooding, roof damage, power outages, and more may occur. No matter when property damage strikes, trust SERVPRO to get the job done. With over five decades of experience, SERVPRO is the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*, and teams across North America are dedicated to making it “Like it never even happened.” Contact your local SERVPRO today.

To learn more about SERVPRO and the cleanup and restoration industry, we encourage you to visit our FAQ and glossary.

Common Weather Events During the Fall Season