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It’s going to be a warm and dry fall, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac
If you’re expecting to shut off the AC and break out your cozy sweaters once September rolls around, you might want to hold off. The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s forecast for fall 2026 predicts warmer and drier conditions than usual across most of the country. This means the anticipated season of sweaters, scarves, and lattes might take a bit longer to arrive this year.
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However, there are a few fortunate regions that might see an exception. Areas in the eastern United States and along the Pacific Coast are expected to enjoy cooler than average temperatures this fall. The temperature variations are generally slight — typically only one or two degrees above or below normal. Yet, in those warmer areas, that’s just enough to postpone the crisp air usually heralding the start of fall.
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The more consistent trend expected across the U.S. is a dry fall. Most of the country is forecast to receive less autumn rain than usual, so at least you can likely keep your umbrellas and rain boots packed away with your sweaters this year.
Here’s what to expect for each region of the U.S., according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Northeast
New England should be cooler and wetter than usual. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal through September and October, while rainfall should exceed typical levels
Atlantic Corridor
The Atlantic Corridor is expected to cool down, but not have much rain. September and October temperatures should be below normal, and precipitation is also forecast to fall short of average.
Appalachians
The Appalachians should experience a cooler and drier fall. September and October may run approximately 2 degrees below normal. Rainfall is also expected to remain below normal.
Southeast
In the Southeast, both September and October are expected to average about 1 degree below normal. More noticeable is how dry it’s expected to be; parts of the region are forecast to receive as much as 4 inches less rain than a typical autumn.
Florida
Florida should average cooler than normal during September and October. As for rainfall, northern Florida is expected to be drier than usual, while southern Florida may receive above-average precipitation.
Lower Lakes
The Lower Lakes region should get a more recognizable fall — September is forecast to be cooler than usual before returning to average in October, while rainfall is expected to be average in September before slowing down in October.
Ohio Valley
Cooler temperatures and less rainfall than average are expected in the Ohio Valley. The region could receive around 3 inches less rain than usual this fall.
Deep South
The Deep South will have a warm autumn, but it may take some time to heat up — September is expected to be cooler than normal before temperatures rise above average in October.
Upper Midwest
People in the Upper Midwest shouldn’t be fooled by a cool September; temperatures are expected to be warmer than average in October. September should have slightly more rain than usual before a wet October.
Heartland
The northern Heartland should experience a warmer than normal fall, while the southern part of the region is expected to be slightly cooler. The whole region should have a dry start to autumn before rainfall increases in October.
Texas and Oklahoma
Texas and Oklahoma are among the major exceptions to the dry fall most of the nation is expected to experience, with rainfall above average — potentially reaching about 4 inches above normal in northern Texas and Oklahoma. Northern Texas and Oklahoma should be cooler than normal, while southern Texas is expected to stay warmer.
High Plains
Summer is sticking around in the High Plains, where both September and October are forecast to run warmer than normal, while precipitation remains below average.
Intermountain
The northern part of this region is expected to be cooler than normal, while southern parts stay warm. Unlike many neighboring regions, precipitation is expected to be above average overall.
Desert Southwest
The Desert Southwest can expect September to be warmer and drier than normal, while October is forecast to be slightly cooler. Rainfall is expected to be below average in Arizona, New Mexico and surrounding desert areas.
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is expected to have one of the coolest and wettest falls in the country. September and October should both run cooler than normal, and September alone may produce as much as 3 inches more rain than usual.
Pacific Southwest
The Pacific Southwest should experience near-normal temperatures in September, followed by a slightly cooler October. Northern portions of the region, including Northern California, should be wetter than usual, while Southern California and surrounding areas get less rainfall than average.
Alaska
Northern Alaska should be cooler than normal and may even see early snow, while southern Alaska stays warmer than usual. September and October are expected to have less precipitation than normal across the state overall.
Hawaii
Hawaii should experience cooler than normal temperatures across September and October, while rainfall is forecast to exceed normal levels. A mid-September tropical storm is also possible.
Bestselling fans to help you wean off air conditioning for fall
In fall, it’s often no longer hot enough to justify running the air conditioner all day, but a sunny afternoon can still leave the living room feeling stuffy. A portable fan keeps air moving through those in-between weeks. These bestselling options can help bridge the gap until open-window weather finally arrives.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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