Staff Reporter
These days, it seems the sun is eager to end its day in Philadelphia. The sunrise-to-sunset period is shrinking by over two and a half minutes each day, as darkness slowly creeps in from both ends. The astronomical start of fall, the autumnal equinox, occurs at 2:19 p.m. Monday, when sunlight strikes the equator directly. By evening, the sun will dip below the horizon before 7 p.m. for the first time since March 8, marking the unmistakable arrival of Philadelphia autumn.
Story Highlights:
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Autumnal Equinox: 2:19 p.m. Monday; sun shines directly on the equator.
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Shorter Days: Sun sets before 7 p.m. for the first time since March 8.
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Supermoons: Oct. 6, Nov. 5, Dec. 4; visible for multiple nights, about 30% brighter.
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Fall Foliage: Peak colors expected late October through early November.
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Bird Migrations: Thousands of chimney swifts and broad-winged hawks observed in Delaware Valley.
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Northern Lights: Rarely visible in Philly; equinox weeks slightly favorable.
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Birding Hotspots: Hallahan High School, Rose Tree Park, Militia Hill.
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Astronomy & Nature: Slanting sunlight and moonlight create dramatic foliage scenes.
But while the days shorten, the nights are about to get brighter. Residents and sky-watchers can look forward to three consecutive supermoons over the next three months. October’s full moon reaches its peak on Oct. 6, appearing roughly 30% brighter than usual as it makes one of its closest passes to Earth this year. November 5 and December 4 will offer similar spectacular displays. These supermoons aren’t fleeting events: the moon will remain nearly full for six nights in October, five in November, and six again in December.
“The October supermoon will highlight the early-turning leaves, casting a silvery glow over the autumn colors,” said Howard S. Neufeld, biology professor at Appalachian State University. “By December, the trees will be mostly bare, and the moonlight will create dramatic shadows on trunks and branches.”
Fall Foliage in Full Swing
Philadelphia’s fall foliage is also reaching its prime. “If sunny conditions continue from early September through October, the leaf colors will be much more brilliant,” Neufeld added, referring to the ongoing foliage season in the region.
Ryan Reed, author of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources weekly updates, notes that leaf colors are appearing earlier than usual. “Based on field reports from foresters, we expect the Philly region foliage to peak around Halloween and into the first week of November,” Reed said. “It’s shaping up to be one of the most colorful autumns in recent years.”
The sunny September weather has already contributed to vibrant turning leaves. This year, fewer cloudy days mean the warm sunlight is enhancing the intensity of the reds, oranges, and yellows, offering photographers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts prime opportunities to enjoy Philadelphia autumn.\
Bird Migrations Take Flight
Meanwhile, the skies above Philadelphia are becoming increasingly animated as migratory birds make their way south. According to Keith Russell, ornithologist with Audubon Pennsylvania, “More species of birds appear over the Philly region in the last week of September and the first week of October than at any other time of the year.”
Two species, in particular, take center stage. Chimney swifts, whose migration routes stretch all the way to the Amazon, swarm by the hundreds and sometimes thousands. “The swifts gather in large numbers at chimneys, and one site at the closed Hallahan High School in Center City has seen over 10,000 swifts in a single evening,” Russell said.
Broad-winged hawks also migrate in large groups, sometimes numbering thousands, creating impressive aerial displays. Popular observation spots include Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence, Delaware County, and Militia Hill in Fort Washington, Montgomery County. Bird-watchers can contact the Delaware Valley Ornithology Club for more information about the migration schedules.
Astronomy Highlights and Northern Lights
For astronomy enthusiasts, fall brings opportunities to witness striking sunsets and moonlit nights, even if northern lights remain a rare sight in Philadelphia. The peak of the 11-year sunspot cycle may be subsiding, reducing the frequency of solar storms that ignite auroras.
“Equinox weeks are generally more favorable for northern lights due to the alignment of Earth’s magnetic field with the sun,” explained astronomer reports in EarthSky. “However, seeing the aurora at Philly’s latitude remains a long shot.” Last October, brief auroras were captured over Philadelphia, but such displays are uncommon.
Even without auroras, the combination of slanting sunlight, colorful foliage, and the glow of supermoons provides residents with a spectacular autumn experience. Edwin Way Teale, a noted naturalist, once described fall as “the glorious flaming sunset of the year,” a fitting description for the Philadelphia autumn this year.
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