Amid a heat wave across the state, some Iowans may be looking ahead to the cooler temperatures that accompany the start of fall.
Here's what to know about the start of fall in Iowa and when leaves are expected to change color.
The first day of fall for the northern hemisphere is at 7:04 p.m. CT on Sept. 22. This is also known as the autumnal equinox. It marks when the sun crosses what is known as the celestial equator, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights, ending with the winter solstice.
Meteorologists use three-month seasons for forecasting, with fall starting on Sept. 1 and running through Nov. 30.
In Iowa and the greater Midwest, leaves typically begin changing color in late September, with peak fall color arriving through October, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
Peak fall color happens in northeast Iowa during the weekend closest to Oct. 10, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and generally arrives later farther south in the state.
The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts a warmer-than-average September across the Upper Midwest and High Plains, with wetter conditions in the Upper Midwest and a drier-than-average September and October in the High Plains.
More: What does Farmers' Almanac's winter prediction show for Iowa in 2026?
AccuWeather's fall outlook also calls for above-average temperatures across much of the "northern tier" of the United States, including Iowa and the Midwest, as a strengthening El Niño influences weather patterns.
The first day of winter is Monday, Dec. 21. The winter solstice is at 2:50 p.m. CT on Dec. 21.
USA TODAY reporter Greta Cross contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When is fall? Here's when to expect cooler weather, fall color in Iowa