Photos courtesy of Pexels and NOAA Climate.gov
The prevalent increase in warm temperatures has masked the presence of the crisp fall weather that we all know and love — a result of global warming's long-lasting impacts.
What happened to fall? Where is the crunch in the leaves? The crisp in the air? The 2024 fall season has seemed very lackluster of its typical fall experience.
With temperatures as high as 80 degrees in late October, it's no surprise that the normal autumn festivities have felt abnormal. Going to a pumpkin patch in shorts and a t-shirt is not the outfit you would expect. Sweating on the way to your afternoon classes is typically not a stressor during midterms.
Fall is the favorite season for most, but with temperatures increasing and conditions getting drier, it might not be as recognizable as we once thought.
These changes in our environment have created a delay in the normal aesthetic of fall that many look forward to. The warm weather has made it quite difficult to dress in our favorite chunky dad sweater and sip a warm pumpkin spice latte in the morning.
In Tennessee, November's temperature outlook is “leaning above” average temperatures for this time by 50-60%, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
One of the main indicators of the beginning of fall is the changing of the leaves from bright green to an array of yellows, oranges and reds along the sidewalk. However, the warmer temperatures have created a less vibrant fall color scheme.
“One piece of that reduction in vibrancy comes from a lengthening of the foliage season,” said science journalist Megan Bartels in an article for “Scientific American.”
“As fall temperatures become milder, different trees with different coolness thresholds for color changes will begin their winter preparations at more spread out times,” Bartels said.
The effects of global warming don't just stop with the high temperatures.
“October 2024 is likely to be one of the driest months ever recorded for the country” according to a report from NOAA Climate.gov. NOAA’s Climate Protection Center predicts that these dry conditions are here to stay for the fall season.
The loss of a familiar fall should not be taken lightly. Global warming effects have been prevalent for many years now and should be of great concern.
“It was very odd being able to comfortably wear a t-shirt and shorts in early November,” said Audrey Hatfield, a freshman student at UT.
However, Hatfield said that she is a Tennessee native and has always experienced a not-so-normal fall in the state of Tennessee claiming.
“It is always either hot or super cold,” Hatfield said.
While Tennessee’s autumn forecasts are often unpredictable, the continued increase in temperatures for the fall seasons has created a warmer-than-normal fall atmosphere.
Students can do their part against climate change by living more sustainably. The United Nations Environment Programme recommends turning off lights when leaving a room, recycling, using public transportation when possible to reduce carbon emissions and spreading the word to help educate others on the topic.
Try your best to help our planet. Bring back the Tennessee fall we know and love.
