While widespread cool temperatures aren’t yet in the forecast, experts say other signs of fall are on the way.
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What’s your favorite part of fall? Is it the cooler temperatures, the shorter daylight hours, or perhaps the gorgeous fall foliage?
All three of those autumnal signals – coupled with a pumpkin spice latte, of course – give fall its unique feel and look.
Experts say cool weather might be hard to come by in September 2026, but the other signs of fall will be arriving shortly. Indeed, the days are now getting noticeably shorter and the leaves will soon be changing color.
Here’s a guide to all you need to know about fall 2026.
When will it cool down?
Fall-like temperatures will be difficult to find over the next few weeks across the majority of the eastern U.S. and in the Northwest, according to an email to USA TODAY from AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
“Across the East, the Northeast, Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast are all expected to experience above- average warmth in September, with near- to above-average warmth expected to continue in October,” he said.
And “although the Northwest is experiencing their first fall storm of the season currently, a return towards warmer and largely dry conditions are expected into the latter half of September and in October, with a lower occurrence of storms moving into the region.”
Buckingham said the central and southern Rockies are among the areas that should see an early arrival of more typical fall weather. “This is largely in response to the strength of the El Niño, which would be supportive of a more active subtropical jet stream during the fall months that can yield a higher frequency of storms,” he said.
He added that a more typical transition into fall is expected across much of the Plains and Midwest this year. “Although the heat has been persistent in August and early September, more frequent cold fronts are expected into the latter half of the month and in October which will bring along a higher frequency of cooldowns,” he said.
What about the ongoing heat wave in the central U.S.? “The heat wave across the center of the nation has been impressive in terms of longevity and intensity to start the month, and that is expected to continue through mid-September before we see signs of it breaking down,” Buckingham said.
The extreme heat is forecast to focus across the central and eastern states through early next week before it centers itself over the central and western states by later next week, according to Buckingham. Signs point towards the heat dome holding fairly steady across the Plains through the next two weeks before temperatures trend back towards average.
Days are getting shorter
OK, technically, a day is always 24 hours. But in this context, we’re talking about the number of hours of daylight each day.
With the winding down of summer comes that familiar shortening of daylight hours until we reach the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22, one of two moments in our annual calendar when days and nights will be roughly equal lengths.
Days have been getting subtly shorter since the summer solstice June 20, but that loss of daylight will become much more noticeable throughout September.
In fact, Americans in many parts of the country can expect more daylight to disappear in September than any other month of the year, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. In the northernmost areas of the United States, daylight hours will shorten by about 100 minutes over the month. The loss of daylight in Alaska will be most dramatic at 193 minutes.
Overall, daylight will be shorter by the end of September by an hour or more for many parts of the United States. Even in southern locations, more than 40 minutes is expected to be shaved off daytime, according to AccuWeather.
Fall foliage outlook: ‘Spectacular’ in New England
AccuWeather says that New England, upstate New York and parts of California could see vibrant fall colors this year, while drought and wildfire stress may dull leaves in the Rockies and parts of the East.
New England, which is typically the place to go for fall foliage, could be especially good this year, according to longtime foliage expert Jim Salge of Yankee magazine:
“Our early call for 2026: A slow start could set the stage for a long, spectacular foliage season,” Salge said in an e-mail to USA TODAY. “Rather than picking one weekend and hoping to hit the peak, you may find that this is the year to take your time, enjoy the season, and follow the color as it moves across the region.”
Elsewhere, here’s a look at what the rest of the nation can expect for fall foliage this year, courtesy of Yankee magazine:
Mid-Atlantic and New York – A hot summer has added stress to forests in these regions, but heavy rains have offered some relief. Expect a mixed season, with the best colors most likely in areas that received consistent summer moisture.
Southeast – In spite of a hot and humid summer, widespread drought has largely avoided the Appalachian foliage belt. The mountains should deliver a fairly traditional show, with elevation once again playing a major role in timing and color. In North Carolina, continued fall tourism would also be welcome in communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Upper Midwest – This region may be one of the season’s biggest wild cards, according to Yankee magazine. Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush. The result could be a patchwork, with some locations turning early and others delivering an excellent show.
Mountain West – A significant lack of mountain snow last winter left the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin with limited snowpack heading into a season of extreme heat and active wildfires. Aspens should still deliver their signature golden color, but travelers should be prepared to go when the foliage arrives rather than wait for a particular weekend.
Pacific Northwest – Severe snow drought across the Cascades, followed by heat, dryness, and wildfire concerns, is expected to produce a more variable and abbreviated season. Forests that avoid the worst fire and drought impacts should still offer beautiful color, but the viewing window may be shorter.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, with a focus on weather and climate.