Meteorological Autumn Begins in Ireland on Monday

Ireland will officially enter meteorological autumn on Monday, September 1st, marking the start of the season defined by statistics rather than the position of the sun.

Meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on full calendar months to make climate data easier to track.

Under this system, autumn runs from September 1st to November 30th, winter from December to February, spring from March to May, and summer from June to August.

The move to calendar-based seasons allows scientists to compare weather patterns and averages consistently from year to year.

While astronomical autumn begins later next month, on the autumnal equinox around September 22nd, meteorological autumn gives forecasters and the public a practical marker for seasonal weather changes.

Meanwhile, blackberries are now beginning to ripen in hedgerows across Ireland. The fruit typically appears in late summer, with peak picking season running from mid-August to late September, depending on weather conditions and location.

According to Irish folklore, blackberries should be picked before Michaelmas (29 September). Traditional stories attribute this to the belief that the Púca, or in some versions the Devil, spoils the fruit after this date. In practice, late-season berries are more likely to be affected by mould, damp weather, or frost, which can cause bitterness.

The 2025 growing season has so far produced good conditions for blackberry development in many regions, with a combination of warmth and rainfall supporting fruit growth. Upcoming weather forecasts indicate a mix of sunshine and scattered showers or rain, which should help remaining berries to ripen over the next few weeks.