With school underway and fall-like weather on its way, when does fall officially start in Michigan?
Summer’s end has two dates each year. Sept. 1 is the meteorological start to fall, while the astronomical start will take place nearly a month later, on Sept. 22.
In November, when Daylight Saving Time ends for 2025, clocks will “fall back,” giving Michiganders an extra hour of sleep that night, causing an earlier sunset and more darkness throughout the day.
What to know about this year’s time change:
When does fall begin?
The astronomical start to fall is 2:19 p.m. Sept. 22.
The meteorological start to fall was Sept. 1, Labor Day.
Why do we have two starting dates for fall?
The astronomical start is based on the position of the sun in relation to the Earth, the Old Farmer’s Almanac says.
The meteorological start date is based on the 12-month civil calendar and the annual temperature cycle.
When do we set clocks back in the fall?
Daylight Saving Time 2025 ends on the first Sunday in November. We “fall back” one hour and return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Instead of waking up at 2 a.m. to make the change, most people set their clocks back before heading to bed on Nov. 1.
Next year, Daylight Saving Time will begin again Sunday, March 8, 2026. Daylight Saving Time 2026 begins on the second Sunday in March in most areas of the U.S., including Michigan.
Do we lose or gain an hour in the fall?
As clocks turn backward, we lose an hour of sleep.
Daylight saving or savings?
While it is often referred to as Daylight Savings Time, Daylight Saving Time without the “s” at the end is the correct term.
What is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time is the time between March and November when most Americans adjust their clocks ahead by one hour.
We gain an hour in November (as opposed to losing an hour in the spring) to make for more daylight in the winter mornings. When we “spring forward” in March, it’s to add more daylight in the evenings. And in the autumn, we “fall back.”
When is the shortest day of the year in 2025?
The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice, the first day of winter. This year, it will fall on Dec. 21, 2025.
USA Today contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When does fall start? When do we ‘fall back’? What to know in Michigan
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Emily DeLetter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
