høsthalvåret

Høsthalvåret, or autumn, is one of the four seasons in the year, occurring after sommerhalvåret (summer) and before vinterhalvåret (winter). The exact dates of the beginning and end of autumn can vary depending on the region and the specific definition used, but it generally falls between September and November in the Northern Hemisphere, and between March and May in the Southern Hemisphere. In meteorological terms, autumn is defined as the period from September to November in the Northern Hemisphere.

Autumn is characterized by a gradual cooling of temperatures, the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees, and the appearance of various fall foliage colors. The season is also marked by shorter days and longer nights, as the Earth's axis tilts away from the sun. This tilt results in less direct sunlight and longer periods of darkness, contributing to the cooler temperatures.

Culturally, autumn is often associated with harvest festivals, such as Thanksgiving in the United States and Oktoberfest in Germany. It is also a time for outdoor activities like hiking, apple picking, and enjoying the changing colors of the leaves. In many regions, autumn is a time for preparing for the colder winter months, including activities like storing food and preparing for snow.

The transition from autumn to winter is marked by the autumnal equinox, which occurs around September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the day when the length of day and night are approximately equal, and the sun crosses the celestial equator, moving southward. After the autumnal equinox, the days become shorter and the nights longer, leading to the colder temperatures of winter.