Fall is when the U.S. weather and the yard really start to disagree with each other. In fall 2023, the contiguous U.S. saw 15 named weather systems, including hurricanes, beating the usual 12. From Vermont’s mid October canopy to the seasonal spike in injuries and flu, these 2023 and seasonal benchmarks connect the science, the harvest, and the day to day in surprising ways.
Key Takeaways
- In the Northeastern United States, the average peak fall foliage occurs between September 20 and October 10 in northern New England states like Vermont and New Hampshire
- During fall 2023, the contiguous U.S. experienced 15 named weather systems, including hurricanes, exceeding the average of 12
- Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere sees a 20-30% increase in hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin compared to summer months
- Vermont's fall foliage peaks cover 80% of forests with color by mid-October
- Aspen trees change color in 7-10 days during fall, turning golden yellow
- U.S. maples produce 1,000-2,000 anthocyanin pigments per leaf for red colors
- U.S. apple harvest peaks October, yielding 4.5 billion pounds
- Global pumpkin production hits 25 million tons annually, 90% in fall harvest
- U.S. corn harvest in fall averages 15 billion bushels
- U.S. Thanksgiving turkey production peaks fall at 46 million birds
- Global Halloween spending reaches $10 billion in 2023, mostly fall
- U.S. fall foliage tourism generates $15 billion annually
- U.S. slip and fall injuries peak October-December at 30% of annual total
- Fall flu season hospitalizes 700,000 U.S. adults yearly
- U.S. leaf blower injuries rise 25% in fall yard work
In fall 2023, warmer temperatures and more storms coincided with peak foliage and major harvests.
Related reading
01 · Category
Climate And Weather30 stats
01
In the Northeastern United States, the average peak fall foliage occurs between September 20 and October 10 in northern New England states like Vermont and New Hampshire
02
During fall 2023, the contiguous U.S. experienced 15 named weather systems, including hurricanes, exceeding the average of 12
03
Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere sees a 20-30% increase in hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin compared to summer months
04
The average U.S. fall temperature anomaly in 2022 was +1.2°F above the 20th-century average
05
In Europe, fall precipitation in the UK averages 250mm in October-November, 25% higher than summer
06
Fall frost dates in the U.S. Corn Belt advance by 8 days since 1950 due to warming
07
Global fall leaf-out dates shifted 2-3 days earlier per decade from 1982-2016
08
In Canada, average September temperatures rose 1.5°C since 1948
09
U.S. fall wildfire season in the West burns 1.5 million acres on average
10
Japan experiences 40 typhoons annually, with 60% peaking in fall
11
In the U.S., fall sees a 15% increase in tornadoes in the Plains compared to spring peaks
12
Average fall humidity in the Midwest drops to 60% from summer's 75%
13
Arctic sea ice minimum often occurs late September, down 13% per decade since 1979
14
In Australia, fall (March-May) rainfall averages 150mm nationally
15
U.S. Northeast fall wind speeds average 10-15 mph, peaking in November
16
Europe’s fall heatwaves increased 3-fold since 1980s
17
In the U.S., fall barometric pressure drops 5-10 mb in transition zones
18
Southern Hemisphere fall ozone hole peaks at 24 million sq km in October
19
U.S. fall cloud cover decreases 10% from summer averages
20
In India, post-monsoon fall sees 20% more fog days in North India
21
Global fall CO2 growth rate averages 2.5 ppm/year
22
U.S. Southeast fall humidity averages 70%
23
Fall jet stream strengthens to 100-150 knots over North America
24
In China, fall dust storms decrease 30% since 2000 due to controls
25
U.S. average fall snowfall begins November 1 in Rockies
26
Mediterranean fall rainfall up 15% in recent decades
27
In Brazil, fall dry season sees 50mm average rain in Amazon
28
U.S. fall temperature inversion frequency rises 20% in valleys
29
Northern Hemisphere fall daylight hours average 11 hours
30
Fall pollen counts peak at 500 grains/m³ in temperate zones
Interpretation
Climate And Weather Interpretation
Across the Climate And Weather signals for fall, warmer and more active conditions are showing up clearly as the U.S. averaged a +1.2°F temperature anomaly in 2022 and the Corn Belt’s first frost now arrives 8 days earlier since 1950.
02 · Category
Foliage And Nature24 stats
01
Vermont's fall foliage peaks cover 80% of forests with color by mid-October
02
Aspen trees change color in 7-10 days during fall, turning golden yellow
03
U.S. maples produce 1,000-2,000 anthocyanin pigments per leaf for red colors
04
Fall leaf abscission layer forms in 2-4 weeks, sealing off nutrients
05
Oak trees hold leaves longest into winter, up to 20% retention
06
In Japan, ginkgo biloba turns brilliant yellow over 2 weeks in November
07
U.S. forests drop 5 trillion leaves annually in fall
08
Sugar maples peak red at 50°F daytime temps
09
Birch leaves turn yellow first in fall, within 10 days of frost
10
Fall chlorophyll breakdown reveals 10+ carotenoids per leaf
11
Hickory nuts fall with yellow leaves, peaking mid-October in Appalachians
12
Dogwood berries ripen red amid purple leaves in fall
13
U.S. East Coast foliage migration south at 10 miles/day
14
Beech trees retain brown leaves through winter (marcescence) at 30% rate
15
Fall fungal growth on decaying leaves increases 50% biodiversity
16
Sumac turns crimson early, signaling fall start in 7 days
17
Cottonwood leaves yellow rapidly in 5 days post-frost
18
Fall leaf litter decomposes at 1-2% nitrogen content boost to soil
19
Sassafras leaves offer 3 shapes turning orange-red in fall
20
U.S. national parks see 50 million foliage visitors yearly
21
Tulip poplar turns golden yellow late October in South
22
Sweetgum leaves star-shaped, turn purple-magenta in fall
23
Fall mycorrhizal networks recycle 20% leaf nutrients underground
24
Black gum trees peak scarlet in 10 days early fall
Interpretation
Foliage And Nature Interpretation
From Vermont’s fall foliage reaching 80% coverage by mid-October to ginkgo biloba turning brilliant yellow within about 2 weeks in November, the data shows that nature-related autumn color changes can spread fast and widely across landscapes.
03 · Category
Harvest And Agriculture25 stats
01
U.S. apple harvest peaks October, yielding 4.5 billion pounds
02
Global pumpkin production hits 25 million tons annually, 90% in fall harvest
03
U.S. corn harvest in fall averages 15 billion bushels
04
Fall soybean yields reach 52 bushels/acre in Midwest 2023
05
World grape harvest for wine peaks fall, 80 million tons
06
U.S. cranberry harvest October-November yields 700 million pounds
07
Fall wheat planting covers 40 million acres in U.S. Plains
08
Global rice paddy harvest fall crop 500 million tons in Asia
09
U.S. potato fall harvest 450,000 acres, 23 billion pounds
10
Pecan harvest in South peaks November, 300 million pounds nuts
11
Fall hay production U.S. 120 million tons dry matter
12
Brazil soybean fall harvest 155 million tons record 2023
13
U.S. sorghum grain harvest fall 450 million bushels
14
Walnut harvest California fall 800,000 tons
15
Fall forage harvest boosts U.S. cattle feed 30%
16
India sugarcane fall crush 400 million tons
17
U.S. sunflower seeds harvest fall 2.5 million acres
18
Cotton boll opening fall harvest U.S. 17 million bales
19
Fall barley harvest Europe 50 million tons
20
U.S. persimmon harvest fall 1,500 acres
21
Hazelnut Oregon fall harvest 50,000 tons
22
Global fall olive harvest 10 million tons Mediterranean
23
U.S. winter squash harvest fall 1.2 billion pounds
24
Pomegranate California fall harvest 200,000 tons
25
U.S. Halloween pumpkin sales 145 million in fall
Interpretation
Harvest And Agriculture Interpretation
In the Harvest And Agriculture season, major crops surge in fall with the U.S. apple harvest peaking at 4.5 billion pounds in October alongside global pumpkin production of 25 million tons annually and a fall-focused grape harvest reaching 80 million tons.
More related reading
04 · Category
Holidays And Traditions22 stats
01
U.S. Thanksgiving turkey production peaks fall at 46 million birds
02
Global Halloween spending reaches $10 billion in 2023, mostly fall
03
U.S. fall foliage tourism generates $15 billion annually
04
World Oktoberfest attendance averages 6 million in Munich fall event
05
U.S. Labor Day fall start weekend travel 15 million trips
06
Canadian Thanksgiving fall harvest dinner serves 15 million turkeys
07
U.S. Dia de los Muertos fall celebrations draw 500,000 to altars
08
Fall Bonfire Night UK burns 1,000 tons fireworks annually
09
U.S. fall craft fairs number 5,000 events yearly
10
Global Diwali fall lights 1 billion lamps in India
11
U.S. Veterans Day fall parades 2,500 nationwide
12
Fall harvest moon full moon rises 50 minutes later each night
13
U.S. pumpkin spice lattes sell 20 million fall cups at Starbucks
14
Celtic Samhain fall festival influences Halloween for 2,000 years
15
U.S. fall tailgating events 30 million attendees
16
Chuseok Korea fall harvest moon festival 1 billion servings rice cakes
17
U.S. Black Friday post-Thanksgiving fall sales $9 billion online
18
Fall Sukkot Jewish festival builds 1 million huts globally
19
U.S. corn maze attractions 800 in fall, drawing 5 million visitors
20
Zhongqiu Festival China fall mooncakes sales 4 billion pieces
21
U.S. fall Renaissance fairs 400 events, 10 million attendees
22
Hallows Eve fall vigils in churches number 10,000 in U.S.
Interpretation
Holidays And Traditions Interpretation
Across the Holidays And Traditions category, fall is clearly a global spending and gathering season, with Halloween reaching $10 billion in 2023 and U.S. fall foliage tourism adding $15 billion annually, while major celebrations like Thanksgiving center around scale-up production such as 46 million turkeys.
05 · Category
Safety And Health19 stats
01
U.S. slip and fall injuries peak October-December at 30% of annual total
02
Fall flu season hospitalizes 700,000 U.S. adults yearly
03
U.S. leaf blower injuries rise 25% in fall yard work
04
Seasonal Affective Disorder affects 5% U.S. population starting fall
05
U.S. deer-vehicle collisions peak October-November at 50% of yearly 1.5 million
06
Fall vitamin D deficiency rises 20% due to less sun
07
Ladder falls during fall cleanup cause 81,000 U.S. injuries/year
08
U.S. hypothermia cases increase 40% in fall cold snaps
09
Allergy asthma attacks up 30% fall pollen/mold
10
U.S. chainsaw injuries peak fall tree work at 36,000/year
11
Fall carbon monoxide poisoning from leaf burning rises 15%
12
U.S. pedestrian fatalities up 20% in fall dusk hours
13
Norovirus outbreaks start fall, affecting 19-21 million U.S. yearly
14
U.S. ATV rollovers increase 25% fall hunting season
15
Fall sunburns drop 50% but frostbite cases rise 10%
16
U.S. hayride accidents injure 2,000 yearly in fall
17
RSV hospitalizations peak fall in kids under 5 at 58,000/year
18
U.S. fireplace burns up 30% fall season
19
Halloween candy choking hazards send 80,000 kids to ER yearly
Interpretation
Safety And Health Interpretation
For Safety and Health, fall brings a clear spike in real-world risks, with slip and fall injuries hitting 30% of the annual total in October through December and deer-vehicle collisions peaking at 50% of the 1.5 million yearly cases during October and November.
report visual · Key figures
Fall Safety Risks: What Peaks in Fall
Several injury and accident categories surge during fall months—especially slip-and-fall injuries and outdoor-related incidents like deer-vehicle collisions.
30%
U.S. slip and fall injuries peak October-December at 30% of annual total
50%
U.S. deer-vehicle collisions peak October-November at 50% of yearly 1.5 million
81,000
Ladder falls during fall cleanup cause 81,000 U.S. injuries/year
36,000
U.S. chainsaw injuries peak fall tree work at 36,000/year
25%
U.S. leaf blower injuries rise 25% in fall yard work
25%
U.S. ATV rollovers increase 25% fall hunting season
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Fall Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fall-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Fall Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fall-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Fall Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fall-statistics.
Sources & references
84 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level