The autumn equinox will occur in the Northern Hemisphere on September 23, 2026, at 05:05 Astana time. Astronomical autumn starts on that very day — the day of the September equinox. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Until that moment, summer continues regardless of the calendar date: its end is recorded by the passage of the visible center of the Sun across the celestial equator toward the south. South of the equator, the seasonal change runs in the opposite order — spring begins there.

The day of the equinox

On the day of the equinox, they will be almost equal across the globe, at approximately 12 hours each.

Starting from September 23, in our hemisphere nights will become longer than days, and daylight hours will begin to decrease rapidly until the winter solstice in December.

How people have watched the Sun

People have observed the movement of the Sun since ancient times: equinoxes and solstices helped them navigate the agricultural cycle, plan sowing and harvest. In many cultures, the September event was associated with the end of field work, gratitude for the harvest, and preparation for the cold period.

For the ancient Celts, the harvest period was associated with Mabon. In modern Wiccan tradition, it is one of the Wheel of the Year holidays dedicated to the harvest and taking stock.

In Korea, near the September equinox, Chuseok is celebrated — a traditional harvest and family reunion holiday. Its date is determined by the lunar calendar, so it does not coincide with the equinox every year, although both events belong to the same seasonal period.

Folk signs and science

Common folk signs are usually related to future weather: people observe the departure of birds, animal behavior, wind direction, and the state of the forest. But there is no scientific way to predict the character of the entire winter from a single day. Such observations can be perceived as part of cultural memory and a reason to look more closely at seasonal changes in nature, rather than as a reliable forecast.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote about what autumn 2026 will be like. According to forecasters, in most of Kazakhstan September will pass with temperatures within the climatic norm. It will be warmer in the west of the country, while northern regions are forecast to receive more precipitation.

In October, the temperature background will change more noticeably. In most of Kazakhstan, the average monthly temperature is expected to be 1–2 degrees above normal.

In November, the temperature is also expected to be 1–2 degrees above usual values in most of Kazakhstan.