Høstperioden

Höstperioden is a Swedish term used to describe the autumn period, particularly in Nordic contexts. The word combines höst, meaning autumn, with perioden, meaning period. It is used both as a general calendar descriptor and, in educational or administrative language, as a more specific interval within the school year, often in phrases such as höstterminen (autumn term).

Time frames for höstperioden differ by method. Meteorological autumn is commonly defined as September 1 to November 30 in many northern regions, while astronomical autumn runs from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice, varying year by year. In practice, the term höstperioden may be understood simply as the months of autumn (roughly September through November) or as the fall term in an academic year, depending on context.

Climatically, höstperioden is marked by cooling temperatures, increasing precipitation, and shorter days. Leaves change color and fall in many temperate zones, and signs of harvest activity appear in agriculture as crops mature and ripe fruit are collected.

Culturally, autumn is often associated with harvest festivals, mushrooms and berries, and holidays such as All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag) in many Swedish-speaking areas, sometimes linked with remembrance.

In educational contexts, the höstterminen typically starts after the summer break and continues into late autumn or early winter, with a break in October/November depending on the school system.