Step outside after dark tonight and the sky may look quiet.

It isn’t.

High above your house, neighborhood, farm, or city, birds may be streaming south through the darkness—warblers, thrushes, sparrows, vireos, and other travelers making one of the most remarkable seasonal journeys in nature.

And on a particularly busy migration night, the numbers can be staggering.

BirdCast, a project involving the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other research institutions, reports that hundreds of millions of birds can be aloft across North America on a single night during migration. Many begin taking flight just 30 to 45 minutes after sunset and may continue flying until shortly before dawn.

Fall migration is already underway by late August, and the movement will continue in waves throughout September, October, and into November.

For generations, the movement of birds has been one of nature’s unmistakable signs that the seasons are changing. If you’ve noticed birds gathering, disappearing, or suddenly appearing in your yard, it may be another of the early signs of fall happening all around us.

But there’s something especially fascinating about fall migration:

Most of it happens while we sleep.

Most Migrating Birds Fly at Night

When people imagine bird migration, they often picture a V-shaped flock of geese crossing a blue autumn sky.

That certainly happens.

But many of North America’s migratory songbirds travel under an entirely different set of conditions.

They fly at night.

Cornell Lab researchers estimate that roughly 80% of North American migratory birds make at least part of their migratory journeys after dark.

That includes many familiar backyard birds.

Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, vireos, tanagers, and orioles can take to the air after sunset and travel for hours through the darkness.

It’s one reason a patch of woods that seemed nearly empty yesterday can suddenly be filled with unfamiliar birds the next morning.

They arrived overnight.

Why Do Birds Migrate at Night?

Flying after dark offers birds several advantages.

For one, nighttime air is generally cooler. Long-distance flight produces a tremendous amount of heat, particularly for small birds continuously flapping their wings.

There are also fewer daytime predators in the air.

Night travel allows many species to spend daylight hours doing something equally important: eating.

Migration requires enormous amounts of energy. Birds can land around dawn, spend the day resting and replenishing their fat reserves, and then continue their journey after sunset when conditions are favorable.

Weather matters, too.

During fall migration, birds moving south often wait for weather systems that produce favorable winds from the north or northwest. A passing cold front can sometimes act like a green light for migration, encouraging large numbers of birds to depart on the same night.

So if a crisp northerly breeze follows a late-summer cold front, there may be far more happening above you that night than you realize.

Keep an eye on the Farmers’ Almanac 2026 Fall Weather Forecast as these autumn weather patterns begin moving across the country.

How Do Birds Know Where They’re Going in the Dark?

This may be the most extraordinary part of the story.

A tiny songbird weighing less than an ounce can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles and find its way to wintering habitat it may have never visited before.

There is no single navigation system.

Migrating birds appear to combine several.

Scientists have found evidence that birds can use:

• The stars
• Earth’s magnetic field
• The position of the setting Sun
• Polarized light
• Coastlines, rivers, mountain ranges, and other landmarks
• Wind patterns
• And, in some species, even smell

Experiments with indigo buntings have shown that the birds can orient themselves using patterns of stars around the North Star. Other birds can use Earth’s magnetic field as a kind of natural compass.

Think about that the next time you hear a tiny bird calling from a backyard tree.

It may possess a navigation system humans are only beginning to fully understand.

Which Birds Are Migrating Right Now?

Exactly which birds you’ll see depends on where you live.

Migration advances across the continent in waves rather than beginning everywhere on one particular date.

During late August and September, birdwatchers in many parts of the United States can begin seeing southbound migrants such as:

• Warblers
• Vireos
• Thrushes
• Flycatchers
• Swallows
• Orioles
• Tanagers
• Shorebirds
• Sparrows

Later in autumn, increasing numbers of juncos, white-throated sparrows, waterfowl, and other cold-weather visitors begin arriving farther south.

Not every migrant flies at night.

Hawks, eagles, vultures, and other soaring birds generally migrate during daylight because they can take advantage of columns of rising warm air, known as thermals.

Hummingbirds also generally migrate during the day and travel largely alone.

If you still have hummingbirds visiting your yard, don’t rush to remove their food source. See our guide explaining why you should keep your hummingbird feeder up during fall migration.

How To Know If Birds Migrated Over Your House Last Night

You no longer have to guess.

Modern weather radar has revealed something extraordinary: Radar used to track rain and thunderstorms can also detect enormous concentrations of migrating birds.

The BirdCast Migration Dashboard uses weather radar and forecasting models to show when and where birds are migrating across the United States.

Its fall migration data season runs from August 1 through November 15.

Check the forecast in the evening.

If heavy migration is predicted over your area, set your alarm a little earlier the next morning.

Then head outside with binoculars.

A neighborhood park, woodland edge, shoreline, hedgerow, backyard, or even a group of trees surrounded by development can become a temporary rest stop for birds that were hundreds of miles away only a day or two earlier.

Listen to the Night Sky

There’s another way to experience migration without seeing a single bird.

Listen.

Many migrating songbirds make short, high-pitched sounds known as nocturnal flight calls while traveling through the darkness.

On a quiet migration night, particularly away from traffic and other noise, you may occasionally hear faint seep, zeet, or chip sounds coming from somewhere overhead.

Those calls can help birds maintain contact while moving through the night sky.

For an old-fashioned approach, try watching the face of a bright Moon through binoculars or a small telescope. Bird researchers once counted migrating birds by watching their silhouettes cross the Moon—long before modern radar made continental-scale tracking possible.

One Simple Thing You Can Do Tonight: Turn Off Unnecessary Lights

Nighttime migration has a downside.

Artificial light can interfere with the natural cues birds use to navigate.

Bright floodlights, illuminated buildings, decorative lighting, and the glow over cities can attract or disorient migrating birds. Birds may circle illuminated areas, waste precious energy, or be drawn into developed areas where glass and buildings create additional collision risks.

That’s why Audubon and other bird-conservation organizations encourage people to participate in Lights Out programs during migration.

Audubon’s fall 2026 campaign is already underway. Its North Carolina program, for example, is asking people to turn off unnecessary exterior decorative lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. through November 30. Local migration dates and recommendations can vary.

You don’t have to make your home completely dark.

A few simple changes can help:

• Turn off outdoor lights you aren’t using.
• Shut off decorative landscape and architectural lighting overnight.
• Use motion sensors instead of leaving lights on continuously.
• Aim necessary outdoor lighting downward.
• Close blinds or curtains in brightly illuminated rooms.
• Make large windows more visible to birds with appropriate exterior patterns, screens, or treatments.

The benefits extend beyond birds: you’ll use less electricity and get a better view of the stars.

Help Migrating Birds Refuel During the Day

After flying through the night, migrating birds need food, water, and shelter.

A bird-friendly yard can become a miniature rest area on a journey stretching thousands of miles.

Native plants are especially valuable because they support the insects, fruits, berries, seeds, and cover birds naturally depend upon.

You can also provide clean water and appropriately maintained feeders.

And there’s no need to stop feeding birds simply because migration has begun. Learn more about why a fall bird feeder can help birds during this demanding season.

Birds Have Marked the Changing Seasons for Generations

Long before radar, satellites, weather apps, or migration forecasts, people watched birds.

Farmers noticed when swallows gathered.

Sailors watched seabirds.

Families listened for geese overhead.

Those observations became part of a vast tradition of seasonal and weather folklore—some fanciful, some surprisingly rooted in real animal behavior. You can explore more of those traditions in our collection of bird weather lore and old-fashioned signs from nature.

Today science allows us to see the phenomenon in extraordinary detail.

Radar can reveal birds passing overhead.

Tracking devices can follow individual journeys across continents.

Researchers can even forecast nights when migration is likely to be especially heavy.

Yet the spectacle itself is ancient.

Look Up Tonight

Sometime after sunset tonight, step outside.

Let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

Listen.

The sky may look empty.

But thousands of feet overhead, tiny birds could be following stars, sensing Earth’s magnetic field, riding favorable winds, and continuing a journey their ancestors have made for countless generations.

By morning, some will be hundreds of miles farther south.

Others may be resting in the trees just beyond your window.

Have you noticed new birds arriving—or familiar summer birds disappearing—from your yard? Tell us what you’re seeing and where you live in the comments.

You’re not imagining it.

September is one of the most dramatic months of the year for changing daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. Between September 1 and September 30, 2026, Seattle loses about 98 minutes of daylight. Minneapolis loses nearly 89 minutes, Chicago about 80 minutes, and New York roughly 77 minutes.

Even Miami, far to the south, loses about 43 minutes of daylight during the month.

The big difference comes down mostly to one thing: latitude.

Our September daylight map shows just how quickly the amount of sunshine changes from north to south—and why autumn seems to arrive much faster in some parts of the country than others.

How Much Daylight Do We Lose During September?

Here’s the approximate change in daylight length from September 1 through September 30, 2026:

That means someone in Seattle loses more than twice as much daylight during September as someone in Miami.

And much of that change happens quickly enough that you can actually notice it from week to week.

Why Do We Lose Daylight So Quickly in September?

The shortening days have nothing to do with Earth suddenly moving farther away from the Sun.

They are caused by Earth’s tilted axis.

Earth is tilted about 23.4 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit. As our planet travels around the Sun, that tilt changes the angle and duration of sunlight reaching each hemisphere. NASA explains that this axial tilt is what produces our seasons and the dramatic differences in daylight between summer and winter.

NASA: Why Earth Has Seasons

After the June summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere gradually tilts less directly toward the Sun. The Sun follows a lower path through our sky, sunrises become later, sunsets become earlier, and our total hours of daylight decline.

That decline becomes especially noticeable as we approach the September equinox.

The Fall Equinox Is the Turning Point

In 2026, the autumnal equinox arrives on Tuesday, September 22 at 8:05 p.m. EDT, corresponding to 00:05 UTC on September 23, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

At the equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. From there, nights become increasingly longer than days across the Northern Hemisphere.

Read our complete guide to the 2026 Fall Equinox and First Day of Fall.

One interesting wrinkle: despite the name equinox, day and night are not exactly 12 hours long everywhere on the equinox. Atmospheric refraction and the way sunrise and sunset are measured give many locations slightly more than 12 hours of daylight. The National Weather Service explains why the truly equal day and night—sometimes called the equilux—can occur several days away from the equinox itself.

Why Northern Cities Lose More Daylight

Look at the map and one pattern jumps out immediately: the farther north you go, the faster daylight disappears.

That’s because changes in Earth’s tilt affect higher latitudes more dramatically.

Near the equator, day length remains fairly close to 12 hours throughout the year. Farther north, seasonal swings become much larger. The same places that enjoy wonderfully long summer evenings also pay for them with rapidly shortening days as autumn approaches.

That is why Seattle can lose roughly 98 minutes of daylight in September while Miami loses only about 43 minutes.

Minneapolis and Montreal lose close to an hour and a half. New York loses roughly an hour and 17 minutes. Atlanta and Los Angeles lose around an hour.

Latitude—not whether a city is in the East, Midwest or West—is doing most of the work.

What Do the Colors on the September Daylight Map Mean?

The bands on the Farmers’ Almanac map represent rounded amounts of daylight lost between September 1 and September 30.

Because daylight duration is closely tied to latitude, the boundaries generally run from west to east rather than following state borders.

For the corrected map, the approximate contour latitudes are:

That last line is particularly interesting.

A true 40-minute daylight-loss contour falls around 24° north latitude, near the Florida Keys and south of nearly all of the continental United States.

Miami loses about 43 minutes, making it one of the few major U.S. cities that can reasonably be rounded into the 40-minute category.

Houston is much closer to 50 minutes, Tampa is around 47 minutes, and Dallas loses approximately 57 minutes, putting it nearer the 60-minute band.

September Daylight Loss by Region

Across the Pacific Northwest and northern tier, September can take away an hour and a half or more of daylight.

Across much of the northern Midwest and Northeast, losses generally fall around 75 to 90 minutes.

The central United States tends to lose roughly 60 to 75 minutes, while much of the southern tier loses around 50 to 60 minutes.

Only the extreme southern edge of the country approaches the 40-minute range.

That helps explain why September can already feel distinctly autumnal in Minnesota or Montana while parts of Florida and the Gulf Coast still feel very much like summer.

Why September Feels Like Fall Before the Weather Does

Daylight is one of autumn’s most reliable signals.

Temperatures can be fickle. September might bring a chilly morning one week and an 85-degree afternoon the next. In fact, our Farmers’ Almanac 2026 Fall Weather Forecast calls for widespread warmth to linger across much of the country early in the season.

But daylight marches steadily in one direction.

Sunset creeps earlier. Morning light arrives later. Shadows get longer. Even a warm September afternoon begins to look and feel different from one in July.

Plants and animals notice the change too. Shortening day length, or photoperiod, is one of several environmental signals involved in seasonal changes throughout the natural world.

It accompanies many of the familiar signs of autumn—from changing leaves to bird migration and shifts in animal behavior.

If you’re watching the season unfold, see our 10 Early Signs of Fall in Nature and our 2026 Fall Foliage Forecast.

Does Daylight Saving Time Cause Us to Lose Daylight?

No.

This is a common misconception.

Daylight Saving Time changes the clock. It does not change the amount of sunlight we receive.

The September decline shown on this map is astronomical. It happens because of Earth’s orbit and axial tilt.

In 2026, Daylight Saving Time remains in effect throughout September and October in most of the United States. The clocks don’t “fall back” until Sunday, November 1, 2026.

When that happens, sunset suddenly appears an hour earlier on the clock, but we haven’t actually lost an hour of sunlight overnight.

See our guide to Daylight Saving Time 2026 and when the clocks change.

How Can I Find the Exact Sunrise and Sunset Times for My Town?

Daylight totals can vary slightly from one location to another, even at similar latitudes.

For precise local sunrise and sunset times, the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Astronomical Applications Department provides calculated sunrise, sunset, transit and twilight data for locations throughout the United States.

Check exact sunrise and sunset times with the U.S. Naval Observatory

Remember that daylight length is the time between sunrise and sunset. It is not simply the amount by which sunset gets earlier; some of September’s lost daylight disappears from the morning as sunrise gets later.

And the Days Keep Getting Shorter

September may deliver one of autumn’s most noticeable changes in daylight, but it doesn’t stop when the month ends.

Across the Northern Hemisphere, daylight continues to decrease through October, November and most of December until we reach the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Then the cycle reverses.

Almost imperceptibly at first, the days begin getting longer again.

That’s one of the reassuring rhythms of the Almanac year: the light is always changing—but it always comes back.

And as those September evenings begin arriving a little sooner, another unmistakable season is already getting underway.

See when colder weather may reach you with our 2026 First Frost Dates guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much daylight do we lose in September?

It depends strongly on latitude. During September 2026, major U.S. cities lose roughly 43 to 98 minutes of daylight. Seattle loses about 98 minutes, Chicago around 80 minutes, New York about 77 minutes, Atlanta around 60 minutes, and Miami roughly 43 minutes.

What city loses the most daylight in September?

Among the cities on our map, Seattle loses the most, at approximately 98 minutes between September 1 and September 30, 2026. Locations even farther north can lose substantially more.

Why does it get dark so much earlier in September?

Earth’s 23.4-degree axial tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive progressively less daylight after the summer solstice. As September approaches the autumnal equinox, both sunrise and sunset change quickly, especially at northern latitudes.

How much daylight does New York lose in September?

New York City loses approximately 77 minutes of daylight during September 2026, putting it close to the map’s 80-minute band.

How much daylight does Chicago lose in September?

Chicago loses approximately 80 minutes of daylight between September 1 and September 30, 2026.

How much daylight does Miami lose in September?

Miami loses approximately 43 minutes, far less than northern U.S. cities but still enough to make the shortening days noticeable by month’s end.

There’s a moment every September when the air has that first hint of crispness and suddenly every garden center in town is overflowing with cushiony domes of orange, burgundy, and gold. That’s mum season — and it might just be the most reliable sign that fall has officially begun.

Chrysanthemums, affectionately shortened to “mums” have earned their spot as the reigning flower of autumn. Here’s exploration into why deserve their status as the go to fall flower, how to keep them thriving, where to find the best ones and some surprising history behind this ancient bloom.

Why Mums Are Perfect for Fall

Most flowers are winding down by the time the leaves start turning, but mums are just getting started. They bloom in response to shortening daylight hours, which means they hit their peak exactly when everything else in the garden is fading. That timing alone makes them invaluable for extending color into October and even November.

Their palette doesn’t hurt either. Mums come in nearly every shade of the autumn spectrum — deep rust, burnt orange, warm gold, wine red, and soft lavender — so they pair naturally with hay bales, pumpkins, and gourds on any porch display. They’re also tough. Garden mums can easily handle a light frost, giving them staying power well past the point when summer annuals have called it quits. And because they’re compact, full, and low-maintenance, they work equally well in garden beds, tucked into containers, or set out in a simple pot by the front door.

A Flower With a 2,500-Year Backstory

Mums aren’t a modern invention dreamed up for fall décor, they’re one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world. Their story begins in China around the 15th century BCE, where small, daisy-like yellow blooms were grown both as an herb and as a key ingredient in a calming tea. In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum became one of the revered “Four Junzi” or Four Noble Flowers, symbolizing nobility, integrity, and the quiet strength to endure hardship with grace.

The flower made its way to Japan in the 8th century, where it took on even greater significance. The Japanese imperial family adopted the chrysanthemum as its official seal, a tradition that continues today, and the country’s highest honor for individual merit is still called the Order of the Chrysanthemum. Japan even holds a National Chrysanthemum Day, one of five sacred festivals, celebrating the flower as a symbol of autumn, harvest, and long life.

Chrysanthemums didn’t reach Europe until the 17th century, and America followed in the 18th. Once here, they picked up new meanings sympbolizing friendship, optimism, and abundance. Eventually mums became the official birth flower of November. The name itself comes from the Greek words for “golden flower” a nod to those original sunny blooms that started it all.

Where to Buy Mums

Mums are about as easy to track down in fall as pumpkins. Garden centers and local nurseries typically carry the widest selection and the healthiest plants, since they’re grown specifically for the season. Farmers markets and roadside farm stands are another great option, especially if you’re hoping to support a local grower. Big box hardware and grocery stores stock them too, which is convenient, but the plants there tend to move fast and can dry out on the shelf, so give them a close look before buying.

Whichever route you take, choose plants with plenty of unopened buds rather than ones already in full bloom, you’ll get weeks more color out of them. Look for rich, deep-green foliage with no yellowing or wilting, and check that the soil is moist, not bone-dry or soggy.

How to Care for Your Mums

Once you’ve got your mums home, a little attention goes a long way:

Sunlight: Mums need at least six hours of direct sun a day to bloom their best. Shade will leave them leggy and sparse.

Watering: Water thoroughly, aiming at the soil rather than the flowers themselves, and let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings. Potted mums dry out fast, so check them daily — they wilt quickly when thirsty but hate sitting in soggy soil just as much.

Deadheading: Snip off spent blooms as they fade. It keeps the plant looking tidy and encourages it to keep producing new flowers.

Planting in the ground: If you’re adding mums to a garden bed rather than keeping them potted, space them 18 inches apart for good air circulation, plant them at the same depth they were growing in their pot, and top with a few inches of mulch.

Overwintering: This is where hardy garden mums earn their keep. If you want yours to return next year, leave the dead foliage in place through winter (it insulates the roots) and hold off on pruning until new growth appears in late spring. In especially cold climates, a thick layer of mulch (four to six inches) helps ensure they survive to bloom again.

A Few Fun Facts to Impress Your Neighbors

Mums aren’t just easy on the eyes, they’re historically and botanically fascinating. There are more than 40 species and thousands of cultivated varieties, ranging from classic daisy-shaped blooms to spidery, pompon, and quill-petaled forms. Chrysanthemum tea remains a popular beverage across Asia, prized for its light floral flavor and its traditional use in soothing digestion and inflammation. And if you’ve ever wondered how mums earned a reputation as air purifiers, they were among the plants highlighted in NASA’s research into houseplants that help filter indoor air.

So this autumn, when you’re out securing your pumpkins and hay bales for the porch, don’t forget to get some mums as well. Few flowers carry this much history, resilience, and color into the last warm days of the year.

Walk outside on a late-August morning and you may notice something that wasn’t there—or at least wasn’t visible—the day before.

Spiderwebs.

They stretch between porch railings, shrubs, tree branches, garden plants, fences, and sometimes directly across the path you were planning to walk down.

If it seems like spiderwebs suddenly appear everywhere in late summer, you’re not imagining it.

August and early fall are among the best times of year to spot large web-building spiders, particularly orb-weaver spiders, which create the familiar circular webs most people associate with spiders.

And those webs can be one more sign that fall is getting closer.

Why Are There So Many Spiderwebs in August and September?

The answer has a lot to do with the spider life cycle.

Many spiders hatch during spring and spend the summer feeding, growing, and molting. Early in the season, they may be tiny enough to go almost completely unnoticed.

By late summer, however, many species have grown substantially larger.

That means larger spiders.

And larger spiders build much larger webs.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, orb-weaving spiders are commonly found outdoors in gardens, fields, and landscapes. Large black-and-yellow garden spiders are especially noticeable in late summer.

Colorado State University Extension similarly notes that some of the year’s most spectacular web-building spiders become particularly conspicuous outdoors during late summer.

In other words, the spiders probably didn’t suddenly invade your yard.

They’ve been growing there all summer.

You’re simply noticing them now.

What Are Orb-Weaver Spiders?

If you’re seeing a large, almost perfectly circular spiderweb suspended between plants or trees, there’s a good chance you’re looking at the work of an orb weaver.

Orb weavers include hundreds of species and are known for constructing the classic wheel-shaped web made of radiating lines connected by spirals of silk.

Common orb weavers you may encounter in late summer include:

• Yellow garden spiders
• Banded garden spiders
• Barn spiders
• Marbled orb weavers
• Cross orb weavers
• Cat-faced spiders
• Spined micrathenas

Utah State University Extension says orb-weaving spiders are often seen around homes and buildings in late summer and early fall, particularly near porches, entryways, landscaping, and exterior lights.

Some species are true late-season specialists.

Penn State Extension reports that adult cross orb-weaver spiders are found from late summer through autumn, while marbled orb weavers can remain active from midsummer until the first hard freeze.

Why Do Spiderwebs Seem to Appear Overnight?

Sometimes they really do.

Many orb-weaver spiders do much of their web construction during the evening and nighttime hours.

Depending on the species, an orb weaver may repair damaged portions of its web or tear down and reconstruct significant portions of it.

So a walkway that was perfectly clear yesterday afternoon can have a large spiderweb stretched across it the following morning.

Building these structures requires spider silk produced by specialized organs called spinnerets.

Different kinds of silk serve different purposes. Some strands form the structural framework of the web, while others help trap insects.

When a moth, fly, mosquito, beetle, or other insect hits the web, vibrations travel through the silk and alert the spider.

It is essentially an extremely sensitive insect-catching net.

Morning Dew Makes Spiderwebs Much Easier to See

There is another major reason you suddenly notice so many spiderwebs in August:

morning dew.

A dry spiderweb can be surprisingly difficult to see.

Cover that same web with hundreds of microscopic water droplets and suddenly every strand becomes visible.

This is particularly dramatic on cool, humid mornings as summer begins transitioning toward autumn.

Penn State Extension notes that dew can clearly outline the webs of grass spiders, making webs that were nearly invisible the previous day suddenly stand out across lawns.

Look across a lawn early in the morning and you may see dozens of shimmering, funnel-shaped or sheet-like webs sitting just above the grass.

In the right sunlight, they can make a yard look as though it has been covered in silver lace.

Those cooler mornings are also one of several natural signs that fall is approaching.

Why Do Spiders Build Webs Across Doorways and Walkways?

Unfortunately, spiders don’t know where you’re planning to walk.

They are looking for two things:

good anchor points and lots of insects.

Door frames, railings, porch columns, tree branches, shrubs, fences, and tall garden plants provide excellent supports for web building.

Porches can be especially attractive.

Why?

Outdoor lights attract insects.

And where insects gather, spiders often follow.

Utah State University Extension notes that orb-weaving spiders are commonly found near exterior lighting.

That’s why the porch light beside your front door may also explain the enormous spiderweb hanging across it every morning.

Are Garden Spiders Dangerous?

The appearance of a big spider sitting in the middle of a large web can be startling, but most common orb-weaving spiders are not considered dangerous to people.

University of Minnesota Extension notes that orb weavers are extremely unlikely to bite humans, despite their sometimes intimidating size and bright coloration.

Penn State Extension similarly describes yellow garden spiders as large and showy spiders commonly found in gardens, tall weeds, and sunny areas across much of the United States.

As with any wild animal, it’s best not to handle them unnecessarily.

But finding an orb-weaver web in your garden is generally not a reason for concern.

Are Spiders Good for the Garden?

Absolutely.

Spiders are among nature’s most effective insect predators.

They feed on a wide variety of insects and arthropods, including:

• Mosquitoes
• Flies
• Moths
• Beetles
• Leafhoppers
• Gnats
• Other garden insects

Colorado State University Extension describes spiders as beneficial arthropods that can play an important role in controlling insect populations in gardens, fields, forests, and around homes.

Grass spiders can be particularly beneficial in lawns because they prey on insects that might otherwise feed on grass and garden plants.

So unless a spiderweb is blocking your doorway or walkway, consider leaving it alone.

That spider may be providing free natural pest control.

For more ways to deal with spiders without immediately reaching for pesticides, see our guide to natural ways to keep spiders out of your house.

Why Are There More Spiders in the House During Fall?

Late summer and early fall can also bring more spider sightings indoors.

Some spiders wander inside as outdoor conditions change.

Colorado State University Extension notes that certain spiders may move into homes in early fall as temperatures cool.

If you would rather keep them outdoors, late summer is a good time to:

• Seal cracks around windows and doors.
• Replace damaged window screens.
• Install tight-fitting door sweeps.
• Reduce clutter around foundations.
• Move firewood and leaf piles away from the house.
• Reduce unnecessary exterior lighting near doors.

You can find more suggestions in our Farmers’ Almanac guide to keeping spiders out naturally.

How Long Does Spider Season Last?

Those impressive late-summer spiderwebs won’t be around forever.

Many web-building spiders have annual life cycles.

Adults mate during late summer or fall, females produce egg sacs, and freezing temperatures eventually kill many adult spiders.

The next generation survives inside protected egg sacs before emerging the following spring.

For example, Penn State Extension reports that cross orb-weaver females leave their webs in September to deposit hundreds of eggs inside protective silk cocoons.

Marbled orb weavers can remain visible until the first hard freeze of fall.

Want to know when freezing temperatures typically arrive where you live? Check our 2026 First Frost Dates guide.

Are Lots of Spiderwebs a Sign of a Harsh Winter?

This is where weather folklore enters the story.

For generations, abundant or unusually large spiderwebs have sometimes been interpreted as a sign that cold weather or a harsh winter is coming.

It’s a charming bit of old-fashioned weather lore—but there isn’t scientific evidence showing that spiders can predict the severity of the coming winter months in advance.

Their late-summer activity is much more easily explained by their natural life cycles, abundant insect prey, temperature, and seasonal conditions.

Still, observing spiders is part of a long tradition of watching nature for clues about changing seasons.

If you enjoy those old signs and sayings, take a look at our collection of 10 signs from nature said to predict a harsh and cold fall.

Spiderwebs Are One of Late Summer’s Quiet Signs of Fall

There comes a point every August when nature begins to feel different.

The shadows grow longer.

Sunset comes a little earlier.

A few leaves begin changing.

Morning dew becomes heavier.

And suddenly, spiderwebs seem to be everywhere.

Many of those spiders have been living quietly around us for months. Late summer is simply when they’ve become large enough—and their webs spectacular enough—to command our attention.

So the next time you step outside on a cool August morning and discover a perfectly formed spiderweb sparkling with dew, take a moment before brushing it aside.

You’re looking at one of nature’s most intricate creations—and one more small sign that summer is beginning to wind down.

Related Farmers’ Almanac Reading

• 10 Signs in Nature That Fall Is Closer Than You Think
• Natural Ways To Keep Spiders Out Of Your House
• First Frost Dates 2026: When Will the First Frost Hit Your Area?
• It’s Not Too Late! Vegetables & Flowers You Can Still Plant in Late August
• Farmers’ Almanac Gardening Calendar

There is a sound that seems to arrive every year just as summer begins leaning toward fall.

It starts as a distant buzz in the trees. Then, on a hot August afternoon, it can suddenly become almost deafening—a rising, vibrating chorus that seems to fill the entire neighborhood.

Cicadas are the soundtrack of late summer.

Across much of the United States, annual cicadas are especially noticeable from July through September, with their numbers and noise often peaking during August. Unlike the famous periodical cicadas that emerge in enormous numbers every 13 or 17 years, annual cicadas appear somewhere every summer.

But why do cicadas make so much noise? Why does the sound seem especially intense when it’s hot? And is there any truth to the old idea that cicadas can predict the weather?

Why Are Cicadas So Loud in August?

The loud cicada sound you hear coming from the trees is mostly about one thing:

Finding a mate.

Male cicadas produce the familiar buzzing call to attract females. They make the sound using specialized structures on their abdomen called tymbals.

Rather than rubbing their wings together like crickets, cicadas rapidly flex these ribbed membranes inward and outward. The movement happens so quickly that the individual clicks blend together into the buzzing, whining, or pulsing sound we associate with summer.

The cicada’s body also acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying the noise considerably. Smithsonian researchers describe male cicadas joining together in large groups called choruses, creating the tremendous wall of sound heard in trees during summer.

So when you hear a tree seemingly “buzzing,” you may actually be listening to dozens of male cicadas calling at once.

Why Do Cicadas Seem Louder When It’s Hot?

If you’ve ever noticed that cicadas become especially noisy during a blazing August afternoon, you aren’t imagining it.

Cicadas are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature and activity are strongly influenced by the temperature around them.

Research has found that temperature can affect several characteristics of cicada songs, including the rate and intensity of their calls. In some species, warmer temperatures are associated with increased calling activity or greater sound power.

That helps explain a familiar summer pattern:

A cool morning may be relatively quiet.

By midafternoon, after the trees and air have warmed, the cicada chorus can become dramatically louder.

This connection between insects and temperature is one reason people have watched—and listened to—bugs for generations as natural weather indicators.

Farmers’ Almanac readers may recognize the same idea from animal weather folklore and our look at animals that can predict the weather.

What Does the Cicada Sound Mean?

Although it may sound like random buzzing to us, cicada calls are a surprisingly sophisticated form of communication.

The loud calls you hear are primarily male mating calls designed to attract females.

Different cicada species also produce distinctly different songs. Some buzz continuously. Others produce pulses, rattles, whistles, or calls that rise and fall.

In fact, scientists can sometimes identify cicada species simply by listening to their songs.

Only the males produce the familiar loud mating calls. Females listen and respond to males of the appropriate species.

So that enormous August chorus isn’t cicadas complaining about the heat.

It is essentially a giant insect singles scene taking place in the treetops.

Why Do Cicadas All Start Calling at Once?

Cicadas frequently call together in groups known as choruses.

When one male begins singing, nearby males may join in until an entire group of trees seems to come alive.

There are several potential advantages to this behavior. Most importantly, a large chorus can help attract females from farther away.

For humans standing underneath it, however, the result can be astonishingly loud.

During enormous periodical cicada emergences, cicada choruses have been reported around 110 to 120 decibels at close range, comparable to extremely loud machinery.

The annual cicadas heard during an ordinary August aren’t usually present in those extraordinary numbers, but a large local chorus can still be remarkably loud.

Are the Cicadas You Hear Every August the 17-Year Cicadas?

Usually, no.

This is a common source of confusion.

The cicadas most Americans hear buzzing every July and August are often called annual cicadas or dog-day cicadas.

That doesn’t necessarily mean each individual cicada completes its entire life cycle in one year. Many spend several years underground as nymphs before emerging.

They are called annual cicadas because some adults emerge every year.

Periodical cicadas are different. Their populations emerge together after spending either 13 or 17 years underground.

Timing is another clue. Penn State notes that annual cicadas commonly emerge from July through September, while periodical cicada broods generally emerge much earlier, during late spring and early summer.

So that familiar August buzz is usually the annual variety—the true soundtrack of the dog days of summer.

Can Cicadas Predict the Weather?

This is where cicadas become especially interesting from an Almanac perspective.

For generations, people have paid attention to insects, birds, animals, plants, clouds, and other features of nature for clues about changing weather.

You can explore many of those traditions in the Farmers’ Almanac collection of weather lore.

But can cicadas actually forecast the weather?

Not in the way a weather forecast can.

There is no good evidence that cicadas know whether a storm is coming next week or whether the upcoming winter will be harsh.

However, cicadas do respond strongly to current environmental conditions, especially temperature.

That means their behavior can tell you something about what is happening outside right now—even if it cannot reliably tell you what will happen days or months from now.

Penn State Extension specifically notes that folklore has sometimes connected cicada singing with the day’s heat, but research does not support using their calls as a reliable temperature-prediction formula.

Do Cicadas Tell You the Temperature?

You may be thinking of another famous insect weather trick.

Crickets can sometimes be used to estimate temperature.

The relationship between cricket chirping and air temperature is so well known that variations of the formula have been passed down for generations.

Cicada calls also change with temperature, but there isn’t a similarly dependable “count the buzzes and calculate the temperature” rule for cicadas.

If you’re interested in natural weather indicators, see our guide to animal weather forecasters.

Do Cicadas Mean Fall Is Coming?

In a sense, they do.

A loud cicada chorus doesn’t mean that cold weather will arrive tomorrow, but its timing is one of nature’s unmistakable seasonal signals.

Annual cicada activity often peaks during August before gradually declining through September and into early autumn.

At the same time, other subtle changes are happening all around us.

The days are getting shorter.

The Sun is setting earlier.

Birds are beginning to gather.

Acorns are falling.

Goldenrod is blooming.

A few leaves may even begin showing their first traces of color.

We’ve collected more of these clues in 10 Signs in Nature That Fall Is Closer Than You Think.

Cicadas belong on that list too.

Their chorus doesn’t announce that summer is over.

It tells us that summer has reached its mature, late-season stage.

What Happens to Cicadas When Summer Ends?

Adult cicadas don’t remain above ground for very long.

After mating, female cicadas use a specialized structure to cut small slits into twigs, where they deposit their eggs.

The eggs eventually hatch, and tiny nymphs drop to the ground. They burrow beneath the soil and begin feeding on fluids associated with plant roots.

There they may remain for years before eventually emerging and beginning the cycle again.

Meanwhile, the adults gradually disappear as late summer gives way to autumn.

One afternoon you suddenly realize something has changed.

The trees are quiet.

Another summer’s cicada chorus is over.

Cicadas: One of Nature’s Signs of Late Summer

Long before weather apps, air conditioners, traffic, and lawn equipment filled our days with noise, generations of people heard the same seasonal chorus coming from the trees.

That’s part of what makes cicadas so remarkable.

Their buzzing isn’t simply background noise.

It is a biological signal, a mating call, a response to summer heat—and one of the most recognizable signs that the seasons are beginning to turn.

So the next time you walk outside on a hot August afternoon and hear that tremendous buzzing overhead, stop and listen.

Hear that? It’s the sound of late summer.

Keep Watching the Signs of the Season

Nature offers plenty of clues that summer is beginning to wind down. See 10 Early Signs of Fall in Nature, find out when the first frost is expected in your area, or explore the Farmers’ Almanac archive of weather folklore and traditional weather signs.

A butterfly weighing less than a paperclip sets off on a journey that can stretch thousands of miles across North America.

The traveler is the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), and if you live in the United States or southern Canada, there is a good chance the great monarch butterfly migration will pass somewhere near you this fall.

Even more remarkable? The monarchs making the journey have never been to their destination before.

When Does the Monarch Butterfly Migration Begin?

The fall monarch migration begins first across the northern reaches of the butterfly’s range.

Monarchs may begin heading south from southern Canada and the northern United States during August, with the great wave of migration gradually moving south through September and October.

By late October and November, many eastern monarchs are arriving at their winter home in the mountains of central Mexico.

According to Monarch Watch, the approximate peak migration progresses southward like this:

• Northern U.S. and southern Canada: Late August through early September
• Upper Midwest and northern Northeast: Early to mid-September
• Central U.S. and Mid-Atlantic: Mid- to late September
• Southern Plains and upper South: Late September into early October
• Deep South: October
• Central Mexico: Late October into November

Weather can move those dates forward or backward. Cold fronts accompanied by favorable northerly winds can produce spectacular waves of migrating monarchs.

That means September is one of the best months of the year to watch the skies, fields, and flower gardens for monarchs across a large part of the country.

And monarch migration isn’t the only hint that the seasons are changing. Here are Farmers’ Almanac’s 10 Early Signs of Fall in Nature.

How Far Do Monarch Butterflies Migrate?

Some eastern monarchs travel more than 2,000 miles, while individuals beginning farther north may cover close to 3,000 miles before reaching their winter habitat in Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says migrating monarchs commonly travel roughly 70 to 75 miles in a day, although conditions can sometimes carry individual butterflies much farther.

Think about the scale of that journey.

A monarch with a wingspan of roughly four inches can fly from Canada, cross much of the United States, enter Mexico, and eventually reach a small mountainous region it has never seen before.

There are no parents leading the way.

No learned migration route.

The instructions are somehow built into the butterfly.

The Amazing Monarch “Super Generation”

Here is where the story becomes even stranger.

Most monarch butterflies born during spring and summer live only about two to six weeks as adults.

But the monarchs born in late summer are different.

Sometimes called the “super generation,” these butterflies delay reproduction and devote their energy to migration and survival. Instead of living for just a few weeks, the migrating generation can survive for many months.

They fly south, spend the winter in Mexico, and eventually begin the northward journey the following spring.

Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continue moving north through the spring and summer.

Then another super generation appears the following fall and somehow flies back toward the same Mexican forests its ancestors left months earlier.

Want more? See our guide to Monarch Butterfly Facts and How to Help Them Thrive.

How Do Monarch Butterflies Know Where to Go?

Scientists have discovered some remarkable clues.

Migrating monarchs use a time-compensated sun compass, combining the position of the Sun with an internal biological clock to maintain the correct direction throughout the day.

Research also suggests monarchs can use Earth’s magnetic field as a backup navigational system when sunlight is unavailable.

Their antennae appear to play an important role in this navigation system.

But one of the great mysteries remains: How does a butterfly that has never made the trip know where Mexico is?

The journey is largely instinctive—one of the most remarkable examples of inherited navigation known in the animal world.

Where Do All the Monarchs Go?

Most monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains eventually converge in a remarkably small area of the mountains of central Mexico, particularly in Michoacán and the State of Mexico.

There, at elevations of roughly 8,000 to nearly 12,000 feet, millions of butterflies cluster together in forests dominated by oyamel fir trees.

The cool, moist mountain climate allows the butterflies to conserve energy without freezing.

Western monarchs have historically followed a different migration pattern, with many overwintering in groves along the California coast and northern Baja California.

In Mexico, monarch arrival around late October and early November has also become culturally associated with Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead. In some traditions, the returning butterflies are seen as representing the souls of ancestors returning home.

Look for Monarch “Rest Stops”

Migrating monarchs don’t simply fly nonstop to Mexico.

They need fuel.

Along the way, butterflies frequently stop in areas rich in nectar-producing flowers. Under the right conditions, dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of monarchs may gather in an area to feed or rest.

Late-blooming flowers can be especially important.

Good fall nectar sources include:

• Goldenrod
• New England asters
• Joe-Pye weed
• Blazing star
• Coneflowers
• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Sunflowers

So before cleaning up the late-summer garden, consider leaving those flowers standing a little longer.

Our guide to growing a pollinator-friendly wildflower garden has more ideas.

And don’t be too quick to remove goldenrod—it’s an especially useful late-season nectar plant. Learn why you shouldn’t blame goldenrod for your fall allergies.

Milkweed or Flowers: Which Do Migrating Monarchs Need?

Both—but for different reasons.

Milkweed is essential for monarch reproduction. It is the only group of plants monarch caterpillars can eat, and female monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed.

Adult migrating monarchs, however, need nectar-rich flowers to fuel their journey.

So the ideal monarch garden includes native milkweed for future generations along with flowering plants that provide nectar from spring all the way through the first frost of fall.

Are Monarch Butterflies Endangered?

Monarch numbers have declined substantially over recent decades because of threats including habitat loss, declining milkweed availability, pesticide exposure, drought, extreme weather, and changes to overwintering habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues conservation work aimed at protecting monarch habitat throughout their enormous range.

There has also been encouraging recent news.

The latest survey of eastern monarchs overwintering in Mexico found that the butterflies occupied 7.24 acres of forest during the 2025–2026 winter, compared with 4.42 acres the previous year—a 64% increase. Researchers caution, however, that monarch populations can fluctuate dramatically from year to year, so one strong winter does not erase their longer-term challenges.

How You Can Help the Monarch Migration

You don’t need a huge meadow or farm to help.

Even a backyard garden can become a tiny refueling station along one of the world’s great migration routes.

Plant native milkweed, keep nectar-producing flowers blooming into fall, reduce unnecessary pesticide and herbicide use, and leave patches of native wildflowers wherever practical.

You can also participate in citizen-science programs such as Monarch Watch’s tagging program, which helps researchers learn where monarchs originate, which routes they follow, and how successfully they reach Mexico.

Keep Your Eyes on the Flowers This Fall

For most of us, the monarch migration won’t look like a stampede.

It might begin with a single orange butterfly passing over your yard.

Then another.

Perhaps several feeding together on goldenrod or asters.

But each one may be somewhere along a journey stretching from Canada to the mountains of Mexico—a journey accomplished by a creature that weighs only a fraction of an ounce.

So during the coming weeks, take an extra look at your garden, roadside wildflowers, parks, fields, and shorelines.

The great monarch migration may be passing right in front of you.

On the night of Thursday, August 27, into Friday, August 28, 2026, the Full Sturgeon Moon will pass deep into Earth’s shadow, producing a 96% partial lunar eclipse visible across most of North America.

And this is no ordinary partial eclipse.

At maximum eclipse, roughly 96.2% of the Moon’s visible surface will be covered by Earth’s dark inner shadow, leaving only a thin bright sliver along one edge. Much of the eclipsed Moon could take on shades of copper, rust, orange, or deep red, making it look remarkably similar to a total “Blood Moon.”

Best of all, you don’t need a telescope, binoculars, or eclipse glasses.

Just step outside and look up.

When Is the Lunar Eclipse?

The eclipse begins Thursday evening, August 27, and continues into the early morning hours of Friday, August 28.

The most dramatic portion begins when the Moon enters Earth’s dark umbra. That is when you will notice what looks like a dark “bite” beginning to move across the Moon.

2026 Lunar Eclipse Times

The partial portion of the eclipse lasts approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes, giving skywatchers plenty of time to watch Earth’s shadow slowly cross the Moon.

Farmers’ Almanac tip: If you only want to go outside for the best part, aim for roughly 30 minutes before and after maximum eclipse.

For East Coast observers, that means approximately 11:40 p.m. to 12:40 a.m. EDT.

Where Will the Lunar Eclipse Be Visible?

North America is in an excellent position for this eclipse.

The eclipse will be visible across most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America, with much of the Americas able to see the deepest portion of the eclipse.

Eastern United States

The Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and much of the Midwest should have an excellent view.

The Moon will already be well above the horizon when the partial eclipse begins, and maximum eclipse occurs shortly after midnight Eastern Time.

Cities including:

• New York
• Boston
• Philadelphia
• Washington, D.C.
• Atlanta
• Miami

should be able to see the eclipse well, assuming the weather cooperates.

Central United States

The Central Time Zone gets one of the most convenient viewing windows.

Maximum eclipse occurs at about 11:12 p.m. CDT Thursday night, making this a particularly family-friendly celestial event compared with eclipses that peak during the early morning hours.

Mountain Time Zone

Maximum eclipse arrives around 10:12 p.m. MDT, another excellent evening viewing time.

The wide-open skies of the Plains and Mountain West could provide spectacular views where skies remain clear.

West Coast

Observers in California, Oregon, and Washington will see the eclipse earlier in the evening.

Maximum eclipse occurs at approximately 9:12 p.m. PDT.

In some western locations, the Moon rises after the earliest stages of the eclipse have begun, but the dramatic partial phase and maximum eclipse should still be visible.

Hawaii

Hawaii will see the Moon rise with the eclipse already underway, so observers will miss some of the beginning but can still catch portions of the event. The official 2026 Farmers’ Almanac astronomy tables note that parts of the far western viewing area see the Moon rise already within Earth’s umbral shadow.

Will the Moon Turn Red?

Possibly—and that may be the most beautiful part of the night.

During a lunar eclipse, Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon.

Earth blocks most direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. But some sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere before being bent toward the Moon.

Our atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths of light more efficiently while allowing more red and orange light to continue through.

That is the same basic reason sunsets often appear red or orange.

As a result, the portion of the Moon inside Earth’s shadow can glow:

Copper. Rust. Burnt orange. Brick red.

The exact color depends partly on conditions in Earth’s atmosphere at the time.

Learn more about lunar colors in our guide to why the Moon sometimes looks red, orange, yellow, or blue.

Is This a Blood Moon?

Technically, no.

The term “Blood Moon” is normally associated with a total lunar eclipse, when the entire Moon enters Earth’s umbral shadow.

Tomorrow night’s eclipse is a partial lunar eclipse.

But it is about as close to total as a partial eclipse can get.

At maximum, approximately 96% of the visible lunar disk will be covered, potentially leaving just a narrow bright edge while nearly the entire rest of the Moon glows dim red or copper.

That is why you may hear this event described informally as an “almost Blood Moon.”

How to Watch the Lunar Eclipse

Watching a lunar eclipse is wonderfully simple.

Unlike a solar eclipse, you do not need eclipse glasses or any special eye protection.

It is completely safe to watch the Moon with your naked eyes.

For the best view:

Find a dark location.
Getting away from bright streetlights will improve the contrast and make the Moon’s changing colors easier to appreciate.

Give yourself a wide view of the sky.
A backyard, field, beach, lakefront, park, or hilltop can all work well.

Let your eyes adjust.
Spend 10 to 15 minutes away from bright lights or your phone screen.

Bring binoculars if you have them.
They are not necessary, but binoculars make the advancing edge of Earth’s shadow especially dramatic.

Use a telescope for an even closer look.
You will be able to watch the shadow creep across lunar craters and maria.

And bring a chair. This is a slow-moving celestial event meant to be watched rather than rushed.

What Will the Eclipse Look Like?

At first, very little will seem to happen.

The Moon initially enters Earth’s faint outer shadow, called the penumbra.

This stage can be difficult to notice.

Then, at approximately 10:33 p.m. EDT, the Moon begins entering Earth’s darker inner shadow, called the umbra.

That is when the eclipse becomes unmistakable.

A dark curved edge will slowly spread across the lunar surface.

Over the next hour and 39 minutes, the shadow will cover almost the entire Moon.

At maximum eclipse around 12:12 a.m. EDT, only a small portion of the Moon will remain brightly illuminated.

Then the entire process reverses.

Earth’s shadow slowly retreats until the partial eclipse ends around 1:52 a.m. EDT.

Why Isn’t It a Total Lunar Eclipse?

It comes incredibly close.

The Moon does not pass directly through the center of Earth’s shadow tomorrow night.

Instead, it travels slightly north of the shadow’s center.

At greatest eclipse, the umbral magnitude will be approximately 0.932, meaning more than nine-tenths of the Moon’s diameter will be immersed in Earth’s dark shadow.

A tiny portion of the northern edge remains outside the umbra.

That narrow miss is the only thing preventing this from becoming a total lunar eclipse.

The Eclipse Happens During the Full Sturgeon Moon

There is another reason this eclipse is special.

It occurs almost exactly when August’s Full Sturgeon Moon reaches peak illumination.

The Full Sturgeon Moon officially peaks at approximately 12:18 a.m. EDT Friday, August 28—just six minutes after maximum eclipse.

The name Sturgeon Moon traditionally refers to the abundance of lake sturgeon historically caught in the Great Lakes during late summer.

Read our complete guide to the 2026 Full Sturgeon Moon, including its traditional names, history, and folklore.

You can also check our 2026 Full Moon calendar for every Full Moon date and time this year.

Why Do Lunar Eclipses Happen?

A lunar eclipse occurs when three objects line up:

Sun → Earth → Moon

Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Full Moon, causing Earth’s shadow to fall across the Moon.

There are actually two parts of Earth’s shadow.

Penumbra

The penumbra is the lighter outer portion of Earth’s shadow.

When the Moon enters it, the lunar surface may appear slightly dimmer.

Umbra

The umbra is Earth’s dark central shadow.

When the Moon enters the umbra, the dramatic portion of a lunar eclipse begins.

Tomorrow night, nearly the entire Moon will enter this dark shadow.

For more eclipse dates and explanations, visit our Farmers’ Almanac eclipse calendar.

Can You Photograph the Lunar Eclipse?

Absolutely.

Even smartphones can capture the eclipse, although a real camera with a telephoto lens will produce much better results.

For smartphone photography:

• Use a tripod or brace the phone against something solid.
• Avoid excessive digital zoom.
• Tap on the Moon and reduce exposure if the Moon appears as a bright white blob.
• Try including trees, barns, mountains, church steeples, or other foreground objects for scale.

For DSLR or mirrorless cameras:

• Use a tripod.
• Use a telephoto lens if available.
• Shoot in manual exposure.
• Take many photos throughout the eclipse because the Moon’s brightness will change dramatically.

The Moon can become surprisingly dark near maximum eclipse, so expect to increase exposure as more of the lunar surface enters Earth’s shadow.

What If It’s Cloudy?

Unfortunately, clouds are the one thing no telescope can fix.

Check your local weather forecast Thursday afternoon and again around sunset.

If your area is near the edge of a clearing weather system, even driving 20 or 30 miles could make the difference between an overcast sky and an unforgettable view.

Remember that the eclipse lasts for hours. A cloudy sky at 10 p.m. does not necessarily mean the night is lost.

Clouds may break in time for maximum eclipse around midnight.

Do You Need Eclipse Glasses?

No.

This is extremely important because solar and lunar eclipses have very different viewing rules.

Looking at a solar eclipse requires certified solar eye protection.

Looking at a lunar eclipse does not.

A lunar eclipse is simply the Full Moon moving through Earth’s shadow and is completely safe to view with:

• Your naked eyes
• Binoculars
• Telescopes
• Cameras

No filter is required.

Don’t Miss Tomorrow Night’s Eclipse

If skies are clear where you live, this is one celestial event worth staying up for.

Beginning Thursday evening, Earth’s shadow will slowly creep across August’s Full Sturgeon Moon until nearly the entire lunar surface is darkened.

By 12:12 a.m. EDT Friday, roughly 96% of the Moon will be eclipsed, potentially glowing copper-red while only a thin bright sliver remains.

Set a reminder.

Step outside.

And look up.

Some of the finest sights in the night sky require expensive telescopes or travel to remote places.

Tomorrow night’s lunar eclipse requires neither.

Just a clear sky and a few minutes under the stars.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 FAQ

What time is the lunar eclipse tomorrow night?

The partial lunar eclipse begins at approximately 10:33 p.m. EDT Thursday, August 27, and reaches maximum at 12:12 a.m. EDT Friday, August 28.

What time is the lunar eclipse in Central Time?

Maximum eclipse occurs at approximately 11:12 p.m. CDT Thursday, August 27.

What time is the lunar eclipse in Mountain Time?

Maximum eclipse occurs at approximately 10:12 p.m. MDT Thursday, August 27.

What time is the lunar eclipse on the West Coast?

Maximum eclipse occurs at approximately 9:12 p.m. PDT Thursday, August 27.

How much of the Moon will be eclipsed?

Approximately 96.2% of the Moon’s visible disk will be inside Earth’s umbral shadow at maximum eclipse.

Will the lunar eclipse be visible in the United States?

Yes. Most of the United States will have an excellent view, although some western areas will see the Moon rise after the earliest stages have begun.

Will the Moon turn red?

Much of the shadowed Moon may appear orange, copper, rust-colored, or red because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is refracted toward the lunar surface.

Is it a total lunar eclipse?

No. It is an exceptionally deep partial lunar eclipse, with about 96% of the visible Moon covered at maximum.

Do I need eclipse glasses?

No. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye.

When is the Full Sturgeon Moon?

The Full Sturgeon Moon reaches peak illumination at approximately 12:18 a.m. EDT Friday, August 28, 2026, only minutes after maximum eclipse.

Where can I find future eclipse dates?

See the Farmers’ Almanac solar and lunar eclipse calendar and our Moon phase calendar.

For gardeners, farmers, and anyone who keeps an eye on the changing seasons, the first frost of fall is one of the surest signs that colder weather is taking hold.

In parts of Alaska, the northern Rockies, and high-elevation areas of the West, freezing temperatures can arrive before September is even over. Across much of the Midwest and Northeast, October is the key month. Farther south, the first freeze may hold off until November or December—or may hardly occur at all.

So, when is the first frost in 2026 where you live?

The map above provides a broad regional guide based on historical first-frost and first-freeze patterns. For a more precise estimate, use our Farmers’ Almanac Average First Frost Dates by City, which includes hundreds of locations across the United States.

What Is the “First Frost”?

The terms frost and freeze are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing.

A freeze occurs when the measured air temperature falls to 32°F or lower. NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information uses the 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals to estimate when the first widespread fall freeze usually occurs across the country.

Frost, on the other hand, refers to ice crystals forming on surfaces such as grass, leaves, and car windshields. Frost can sometimes appear even when the official air temperature is several degrees above 32°F because temperatures right at ground level can be colder than readings taken several feet above the ground. The National Weather Service notes that this is why frost may develop on clear, calm nights with official temperatures in the mid-30s.

For gardening purposes, Farmers’ Almanac traditionally uses average light-frost dates, generally associated with temperatures around 29°F to 32°F. These dates are based on the 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals.

Frost and Freeze Temperatures

As a general rule:

• Frost conditions: Frost may form with reported air temperatures around 33°F–36°F under clear, calm conditions.
• Light freeze: 29°F–32°F. Tender vegetation can be damaged or killed.
• Moderate freeze: 25°F–28°F. Many garden plants can suffer significant damage.
• Hard or severe freeze: Around 24°F or colder. Most unprotected tender vegetation is likely to be killed.

The National Weather Service generally issues a Freeze Warning when temperatures of 32°F or below are expected during the locally defined growing season.

First Frost Dates 2026: A Regional Guide

These are average ranges, not predictions for a particular night in 2026. Your actual first frost could arrive earlier or later depending on weather patterns, elevation, proximity to water, and even where your garden sits in the landscape.

Late August Through Mid-September

Most likely areas:
Far northern locations, high elevations, Alaska, and parts of the interior Mountain West.

Some of the coldest parts of the country can see freezing temperatures remarkably early. NOAA notes that portions of the high mountains and far northern United States can experience their first freeze before August 31.

Examples from Farmers’ Almanac climate-normal data include:

• Nome, Alaska: around August 26
• Fairbanks, Alaska: around September 4
• Ely, Nevada: around September 7
• Baker, Oregon: around September 9
• Idaho Falls, Idaho: around September 12
• Bozeman, Montana: around September 16
• Lake Placid, New York: around September 16

Gardeners in high mountain valleys should pay especially close attention. Elevation can make frost arrive much earlier than it does in nearby lower terrain.

Mid-September Through Early October

Most likely areas:
Northern Plains, northern Rockies, Upper Midwest, northern New England, and colder interior portions of the West.

By late September, frost becomes increasingly common across states such as North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, and northern New England.

Typical first-frost dates include:

• Bismarck, North Dakota: about September 23
• Great Falls, Montana: about September 25
• Duluth, Minnesota: about September 26
• Concord, New Hampshire: about September 29
• Bangor, Maine: about September 30
• Billings, Montana: about October 1

This is also when gardeners across northern growing zones should be prepared to harvest or protect tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, beans, squash, and other frost-sensitive plants.

Early October Through Late October

Most likely areas:
Much of the Midwest, central Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, interior Northeast, higher portions of the Mid-Atlantic, and much of the interior Pacific Northwest.

October is the heart of first-frost season for a large portion of the United States.

Examples include:

• Denver, Colorado: about October 6
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa: about October 7
• Albany, New York: about October 9
• Omaha, Nebraska: about October 12
• Des Moines, Iowa: about October 14
• Indianapolis, Indiana: about October 21
• Columbus, Ohio: about October 22
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: about October 22

Even within the same state, first-frost dates can differ by several weeks. Lake influence, elevation, city heat, and terrain all matter.

Late October Through Mid-November

Most likely areas:
Lower Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, much of the central and upper South, parts of California, and milder coastal locations.

By Halloween, colder nights begin reaching considerably farther south.

Typical dates include:

• Charlotte, North Carolina: about October 30
• Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: about October 31
• Dover, Delaware: about October 31
• Birmingham, Alabama: about November 3
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: about November 5
• Washington, D.C.: about November 12
• Atlanta, Georgia: about November 13
• New York City: about November 14

Coastal locations often remain frost-free longer than nearby inland areas because large bodies of water cool more slowly in autumn.

Mid-November Through Early December

Most likely areas:
Deep South, Gulf Coast, southern Texas, warmer desert regions, and some mild coastal areas of the West.

Across much of the South, the growing season can continue well into November.

Examples include:

• Shreveport, Louisiana: about November 11
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana: about November 17
• Savannah, Georgia: about November 21
• Mobile, Alabama: about November 28
• Las Vegas, Nevada: about November 28
• Tucson, Arizona: about November 30
• Fresno, California: about December 6
• Sacramento, California: about December 7

December or Later—and Places Where Frost Is Rare

Parts of southern Florida, the Florida Keys, coastal Southern California, low desert Arizona, and Hawaii can remain frost-free for much or all of the year.

Even there, however, unusual cold snaps are possible.

Farmers’ Almanac climate-normal data puts the average first fall frost around:

• Phoenix, Arizona: December 30
• Orlando, Florida: approximately January 1
• Tampa, Florida: approximately January 3

Higher elevations in Hawaii can occasionally approach or fall below freezing, while freezing temperatures are exceptionally rare near sea level.

Your First Frost Date Is an Average—Not a Deadline

This is perhaps the most important thing to remember.

An average first frost date does not mean frost will occur on that exact date every year.

The dates in the Farmers’ Almanac frost tables are based on historical climate data. Our chart uses a probability level under which frost can still occur either before or after the listed date.

In other words, if your average first frost is October 15, don’t assume your tomatoes are guaranteed to be safe until October 14.

An early Canadian cold front, a clear calm night, or a particularly chilly air mass can move frost season ahead of schedule.

Likewise, an unusually warm autumn can delay the first freeze for weeks.

Why Your Neighbor May Get Frost When You Don’t

Frost can be surprisingly local.

Two gardens only a mile apart can experience different temperatures because of:

Elevation

Higher elevations are generally colder, which is why mountain communities often have much earlier frost dates than nearby valleys.

Low-Lying Areas

Cold air is heavier than warm air and tends to settle into valleys, hollows, and depressions. These areas are often called frost pockets.

Cities

Concrete, pavement, buildings, and other structures store daytime heat and release it slowly overnight. This urban heat island effect can help cities remain frost-free longer than nearby rural communities.

Lakes and Oceans

Water changes temperature more slowly than land. Coastal locations and areas near the Great Lakes may experience later fall freezes than inland locations at the same latitude.

Clouds and Wind

Clear, calm nights are especially favorable for frost because heat escapes rapidly from the ground.

A cloudy night can sometimes stay warmer because clouds help trap outgoing heat.

What Plants Need Protection From the First Frost?

Tender warm-season plants can suffer serious damage even from a light freeze.

Protect or Harvest These Before Frost

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Basil
• Cucumbers
• Beans
• Summer squash
• Melons
• Tender annual flowers

If frost is in the forecast, harvest ripe vegetables and bring container plants indoors when practical.

For plants that need to remain outside, see our complete guide to protecting outdoor plants from frost and freezing temperatures.

Plants That Can Handle a Light Frost

Not everything in the garden needs to come inside.

Cool-season vegetables are considerably tougher, including:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Parsnips
• Leeks

Some vegetables—particularly kale, carrots, parsnips, and other cool-season crops—may even taste sweeter after exposure to cold weather.

If you’re still planting, our guide to planting a fall vegetable garden explains how to count backward from your first-frost date when choosing crops.

You can also consult the Farmers’ Almanac Planting Calendar for seasonal gardening dates and traditional Gardening by the Moon guidance.

What To Do When Frost Is Forecast

When your local forecast finally shows temperatures dipping into the mid-30s, it is time to pay attention.

A few simple precautions can extend the growing season:

Cover tender plants before sunset. Old sheets, frost cloth, blankets, or other breathable coverings can help hold warmth from the soil around the plant.

Water the soil earlier in the day. Moist soil can retain and release more heat overnight than very dry soil.

Move containers indoors. Potted plants cool faster than plants rooted in the ground.

Harvest tender vegetables. Pick tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, and squash before a freeze.

Watch low spots in the yard. Frost may develop there even when your porch thermometer remains above freezing.

And always check your local National Weather Service forecast when cold weather approaches. A Frost Advisory indicates that frost may damage sensitive vegetation, while a Freeze Warning generally means temperatures of 32°F or colder are expected during the growing season.

When Does Fall Officially Begin in 2026?

Meteorologists consider fall to begin on September 1, while astronomical fall begins with the autumnal equinox later in September.

That distinction helps explain why the first frost may occur before “fall” has even officially arrived on the astronomical calendar in some northern and high-elevation locations.

Read our explanation of meteorological fall versus astronomical fall.

Find Your Average First Frost Date

The national map is a helpful overview, but frost is ultimately a local event.

Before harvesting your garden, planting fall vegetables, or covering flowers, check the average date for a city near you:

Find your local date: Farmers’ Almanac Average First Frost Dates by City.

And remember: an average frost date is a guide, not a guarantee. Keep an eye on your local forecast once nighttime temperatures begin dipping into the 30s.

The first frost may mark the end of summer’s garden, but for many cold-hardy crops—and for anyone who loves crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and the changing seasons—it is one of the unmistakable signs that fall has truly arrived.

Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. Her remarkable life carried her from a small cabin in the mountains of East Tennessee to stages around the world, yet she never seemed to lose the warmth, humor, and humility of the place she called home.

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, near Sevierville, Tennessee, she was one of 12 children. Music was part of her life almost from the beginning. She was performing on local radio and television while still a child and moved to Nashville after graduating from high school to pursue her dream.

That dream became one of the most extraordinary careers in American music.

Parton wrote hundreds of songs and created classics including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her music crossed the boundaries of country, pop, and generations, while her unmistakable personality made her equally at home on the Grand Ole Opry stage, in Hollywood, and eventually at her own Tennessee theme park, Dollywood. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she sold more than 100 million records and became one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world.

A Legacy Bigger Than Music

For all her success on stage, Dolly Parton’s greatest legacy may be what she did for children.

In 1995, she founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, inspired in part by her father’s inability to read or write. What began by mailing free books to children in her home county in Tennessee grew into an international literacy program that has distributed hundreds of millions of books to young children.

It was a fitting mission for someone whose own career was built around the power of words and stories.

Dolly never forgot where she came from. The mountains, families, churches, front porches, hardships, and humor of rural America ran through her songs. Perhaps that is why so many people felt that they knew her—even if they never met her.

Today, we remember a gifted songwriter and entertainer, but also something harder to define: a woman who brought a little more joy into the world.

One of her most famous lines now carries an especially poignant meaning:

“I will always love you.”

Farewell, Dolly. America certainly loved you, too.

That doesn’t mean it’s time to put the feeder away.

Hummingbirds know when it’s time to migrate, and leaving a feeder out won’t convince them to stay behind. In fact, keeping it filled a little longer can give both your local birds and late-season migrants an important place to refuel before continuing south.

Your Feeder Won’t Stop Hummingbirds From Migrating

One of the most persistent hummingbird myths is that leaving a feeder out too long will tempt the birds to stay when they should be heading south.

Fortunately, that isn’t how hummingbird migration works.

Hummingbirds have a powerful instinct to migrate. Changes in daylight are among the important signals that tell them when it’s time to move. A backyard filled with flowers—or a feeder filled with sugar water—isn’t enough to convince a healthy migrating hummingbird to cancel its trip.

When the time comes, they will go.

So you don’t need to remove your feeder to “encourage” them to leave.

Late-Summer Feeders Can Help Migrating Hummingbirds

There’s actually a good reason to do the opposite.

Keep that feeder up.

During migration, hummingbirds need an enormous amount of energy. These tiny birds may travel hundreds or even thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds.

Your regular summer hummingbirds may disappear, only to be replaced by birds migrating from farther north.

That hummingbird suddenly appearing at your feeder in September may have spent the summer hundreds of miles away and simply stopped in your backyard for a much-needed meal.

Think of your feeder as a tiny roadside rest stop.

A hummingbird can refuel, rest and continue south.

When Should You Finally Take Your Hummingbird Feeder Down?

There’s no single date that works everywhere.

A good Farmers’ Almanac rule of thumb is:

Wait at least two weeks after you see your last hummingbird before taking the feeder down.

That gives late migrants and stragglers an opportunity to stop for food even after the hummingbirds that spent the summer in your yard have departed.

In much of the northern United States, hummingbird activity begins declining noticeably during late summer and early fall.

Farther south, migrating hummingbirds may continue passing through much later.

And in some warmer parts of the country, hummingbirds can even be present during winter.

So watch the birds—not simply the calendar.

Keep Your Nectar Fresh

There is one important catch to leaving a hummingbird feeder hanging:

You need to keep maintaining it.

Old sugar water can spoil quickly, especially during the warm days that often linger into late August and September.

Continue washing your feeder regularly and replacing the nectar rather than allowing an unattended feeder to sit outside for weeks.

A simple hummingbird nectar mixture is:

1 part plain white granulated sugar to 4 parts water.

That’s all you need.

Avoid honey, artificial sweeteners and red food coloring.

And if the nectar becomes cloudy or the feeder begins developing mold, clean it immediately.

Don’t Be Surprised If Hummingbird Activity Suddenly Increases

Late summer can actually be one of the most exciting times of year to watch hummingbirds.

You may notice birds becoming more active around flowers and feeders as they prepare for migration.

You might also see hummingbirds that you don’t recognize.

Migrating birds from farther north can pass through areas where they were absent during summer, turning an ordinary backyard into a temporary hummingbird rest stop.

So keep watching.

That hummingbird hovering outside your kitchen window tomorrow morning might be a familiar summer resident—or a tiny traveler passing through on an extraordinary journey south.

Help Them Along the Way

A clean feeder isn’t the only thing that can help.

Late-blooming flowers provide valuable natural nectar, while shrubs and trees give migrating birds places to rest and shelter.

Fresh water can also make a backyard more inviting to birds moving through during late summer and fall.

And whenever possible, allow some nectar-rich flowers to remain blooming rather than cleaning up the garden too early.

Fall may be approaching, but your backyard can still be an important stop for wildlife.

The Bottom Line

Don’t take your hummingbird feeder down just because August is ending.

Keeping it up won’t prevent hummingbirds from migrating.

Instead, a clean feeder filled with fresh nectar can provide extra fuel for birds preparing to leave—and for migrants still heading south long after your familiar summer hummingbirds have disappeared.

Keep watching your feeder and wait about two weeks after your final hummingbird sighting before putting it away for the season.

You never know when one last tiny traveler may stop by.

Have you noticed fewer hummingbirds yet—or are your feeders busier than ever?