It's not exactly sweater weather here in Southern Arizona, but, nevertheless, autumn officially begins at 1:21 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. We'll be telling you some of the totally Tucson seasonal things to do, see, taste and experience in the weeks ahead.
First, let's take a trip back to elementary-school science class:
Autumn is the third of the astronomical seasons that begins with the autumnal equinox. As you might remember, an equinox is when Earth, orbiting the sun at a tilt, reaches one of two points when the tilt is straight relative to the sun.
If you are more a weather person than an astronomy person, you might appreciate the meteorological seasons. Some meteorologists — though we don’t see this much in Tucson — divide the year into four seasons of three months to make forecasting easier and more consistent. Thus, meteorological fall started September 1 and will end November 30.
The change of season also sparks warm-fuzzy feelings. Fall is a season to be enjoyed and savored.
Perhaps it's the relief of finally being able to go outside or open a window after the long, hot summer.
Could be the sense of back-to-normal with the kiddos back in school, arts seasons back in full swing, and summer vacations packed away in the memory books.
Maybe it's that the season is marked by the harvest, the gathering of crops and fruits and colorful foliage — not so much in Tucson — that inspires a sense abundance, change and gathering.
Or that Thanksgiving is the hallmark holiday of fall. The best holiday ever, Thanksgiving's sense of gratitude permeates the entire season.
We're ready to show you where to find quintessential fall experiences and share some recipes and tasty foods, decorating ideas and all things fall.
Coming tomorrow: The Greek Festival.
