The Polish Autumn

Polish autumn starts really in September; on the 1st of September the sun rises around 4.46 a.m. and goes down around 6.24 p.m. a day lasts for about 13 and half an hour. On the 30th of September, sun rise is around 5.35 a.m. and sun set around 5.35 p.m. during this month a day’s length shortens at over 1.5 hour. On the 23rd of this month the number of day and night hours equal and this date is considered to be the first day of the calendar autumn/fall.

The first autumn month, September, is usually beautiful, sunny and warm I Poland. Sun shines bright, but rays at a different angle and so that it is not as hot as in June and July. The nights become colder and at the end of the month it is not that rare to experience early morning slight ground frost. The average monthly temperature is around 11,5°C in Olecko to 14,4°C in Tarnów. In Warsaw it is 13,3 °C, in Poznań 13,9 °C, in Wrocław 13,5 °C. In the mountains, where in upper parts snowfalls are possibile, the average temperature in Zakopane is 10,5°C; on Śnieżka it peaks at only 5 °C.

The sum of precipitation in September is clearly lower than in August. It is especially well noticed in the mountains. The amount ranges between 37 mm in Białymstok do 80 mm in Koszalin. In Warsaw it is 44 mm, whereas in Zakopane 105 mm, and on Śnieżka mountain 108 mm.

Due to substantial temperature drop, air humidity increases from 56% in Wrocław up to 88% on Śnieżka mountain.

September is called in Polish phonology “the early autumn” and it is a fruit bearing season. Seeds and fruits of various trees and bushes ripe; mushroom are still plentiful in forests. At the end of the month leaves start to change color. Rich green receives hints of yellowish and reddish colors. Fields become more and more deserted.

In the world of animals more often preparations for winter season May be seen. W świecie zwierzęcym widać coraz częściej przygotowania do zimy. The rest of brooding and raptor birds fly away. Herbivorous insects usually cease their vegetational period. Some rodents such as squirrels and hamsters begin to prepare stocks for winter. On forest meadows deer perform their ruttings.

In October some plants such as ivy and heather might still bloom. Numerous trees and bushes end their fruit season. Oak trees loose their ripe acorns. During this month a total change of colors takes place. Only coniferous trees retain their green color, other than that, the green disappears and gives place to bronze, red and yellow tones which create unique autumn aura of beautiful “Polish golden autumn”, especially during sunny weather. The period of leaves’ fall is prolonged in time, as different species loose their leaves at different times. Life in water also becomes still, as more and more often ground frosts cover the water surface of smaller reservoirs with thin layer of ice.

November is the last month of the Polish autumn; it is definitely colder and more humid than e.g September. Fauna and flora period of vegetation is almost totally ended. On “late” bushes and trees, such as pines, junipers, spruces last seeds ripe; few trees carry leaves, and there are usually dried and brownish. Field works cease. The last bird - the skylark - leaves Poland for warmer countries. All nature in the middle of the month is usually prepared for the winter season. No flying insects can be seen; however, snowfalls and heavy frosts at the end of the month are not seldom to be seen.

Anja

Thanks for the memories of Polish autumn :)
Been living over here in sunny Arizona for a while now.