Autumnal Equinox 2026: Autumn Begins Sept 23

Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere will mark the start of astronomical autumn on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when the autumnal equinox occurs at 3:05 a.m. Mecca time. The moment corresponds to 00:05 UTC on the same date.

An equinox happens when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from north to south. This alignment brings the season officially into autumn across the Kingdom and the wider Northern Hemisphere, closing out the summer months on the astronomical calendar.

The event unfolds in the early hours before dawn, so most residents will simply wake up to the first official day of autumn. While the exact instant is a matter of astronomy rather than a visible spectacle, it is a reliable seasonal marker that has guided calendars and timekeeping for centuries.

Why it matters

For residents in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and beyond, the equinox is a signal that the intense heat of the Saudi summer is gradually giving way to more comfortable weather in the weeks ahead. It also marks a period when day and night are close to equal in length around the world.

Whether you follow the skies closely or just look forward to cooler evenings, September 23, 2026, is the date to note as the season turns.

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