It’s official – at least in a few hours

This is that time of year when a lot of folks can’t figure out whether it’s late summer or early fall.

And with good reason.

Even though they know what month it is, Mother Nature can be incredibly finicky this time of year.

So the weather is anybody’s guess.

But just so you know, the Autumnal Equinox officially begins at 2:19 this afternoon. From the 6:52 a.m. sunrise to the 7 p.m. sunset, light today lasts 12 hours and 11 minutes.

From there, daylight does downhill – shortening every day until the start of spring.

Fall starts when the sun crosses the celestial equator for half the year.

All this is depressing to some, as they are the group of folks that thrive on sunlight. For the most part, they are the majority.

Others do better with less sunlight. God love them, because super short daylight is difficult.

And when it’s cooler and short on sunshine, there can be few things more pleasing than sitting in the chilly air and soaking up the bright warmth of a cold-season sun.

That said, it’s a good time for a reminder that we are in the thick of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

And even though the tropics have seemed to be slow, we have a major Cat 3 cyclone in Hurricane Gabrielle dishing out 120 mph winds as it moves north at about 10 mph. The system is expected to skim past Bermuda to the islands’ east.

Still, the East Coast of the United States is already starting to see a developing ground swell pushed our way as the cyclone passes by.

That’s great news for the legions of surfers. But those who just want to belly up in the ocean can expect high rip currents, at least for a few days.

During its Monday morning briefing, the Wakefield office of the National Weather Service said our region can expect slightly above average temperatures and low percentages of rain.

As Gabrielle skirts past us, there are Small Craft Warnings at least until Tuesday afternoon.

All that said, figure out how to enjoy the color-changing leafs, the flocks of black birds trying to fill their guts, and the desire to put on a good sweatshirt.

‘Cause fall is here and you might as well take it in stride.