A little less hot days and longer nights signal the start of fall on the Gulf Coast. Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Autumn will officially begin on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 7:43 AM Central Time, marking the autumnal equinox. At this precise moment, the sun will be positioned directly above the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness across the globe. For residents along the Gulf Coast and throughout the Northern Hemisphere, this equinox signifies the start of cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and seasonal traditions.