Autumnal Equinox On 22 September 2024 Ushers In Cooler Weather And Stellar Displays

Autumn in the northern hemisphere starts with the autumnal equinox, when the sun is directly over the equator, moving south. This year, it will occur on 22nd September 2024 at 16:44 GST.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Board Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, explained that after the equinox, day and night will be equal in length in the UAE. Following this period, nights will gradually become longer than days. In contrast, polar regions in the north will start experiencing continuous nights until spring.

Al Jarwan mentioned that early autumn evenings will feature notable star constellations like the ‘Big Dipper’ and the 'Great Square of Pegasus', known to Arabs as the 'Aquarius Square', appearing in the eastern sky. Several prominent meteor showers will also be visible during autumn under clear skies. The Orionids will peak from 20th to 22nd October, Leonids from 16th to 18th November, and Geminids from 13th to 15th December.

Temperature Changes

From the date of the autumnal equinox, temperatures will start falling below 25°C at night and below 40°C during the day. Night-time cooling begins when minimum temperatures drop below 20°C at night from mid-October to mid-April. Daytime cooling starts when maximum temperatures fall below 30°C during the day from mid-November to mid-March.

Winter Rainy Season

The winter rainy season extends from early November to late March. Around 22 percent of annual rainfall occurs during autumn, mainly in its latter half. High humidity levels lead to fog and dew formation in mornings, especially from mid-September to mid-November.

Autumn Fruits and Farming Activities

This season sees an abundance of autumn fruits such as pomegranates, citrus fruits, and olives. The weather is ideal for planting, farming, transplanting seedlings, and pruning trees. Most winter vegetables are sown during this time.

The gradual transition into cooler weather marks a significant change in daily life and natural phenomena across various regions. The shift not only affects temperature but also brings unique celestial events and agricultural opportunities.

With inputs from WAM