It’s that time of the year again. The leaves aren’t quite as green as they used to be, and there’s a breeze in the air accompanying the humidity. For all intents and purposes, autumn should be here – the temperature just refuses to drop.Â
This time of year in the Washington Metropolitan area is known (not affectionately) as False Fall. It’s that time of year where everyone wants it to be autumn, dresses like it is, but ends the day feeling sweaty and disappointed. The notoriously unpredictable weather fluctuates between being unbearably hot and humid on some days and surprisingly chilly on others, making it difficult to plan ahead (I, myself, have to be careful not to catch a cold around this time every year).Â
False Fall can feel agonizingly long, but eventually the leaves will really start to fall, and true autumn will always arrive (for approximately one week before it gets freezing cold). That being said, as someone who’s lived in the DMV area for the last fourteen years, here are some tips and tricks to make it through to autumn and winter.Â
1. Layers, Layers, Layers
Your clothes need to be able to evolve during the day. My recommendation is short sleeved tops, baggy jeans and a jacket that you carry with you. On days where the temperature starts at 67 degrees in the morning and 80 degrees in the afternoon, long sleeves can be more sweat-inducing. I also emphasize baggy jeans because anything that sticks to your skin will only make you warmer when the temperature climbs. You want something that will cover your skin enough to keep you warm if it gets cold, but will also not make you warmer than you need to be. During this time of year most buildings, whether you’re in school or at work, tend to crank up the AC, so do not forget that jacket – that’s how all the False Fall common colds take root.Â
2. Balance Seasonal Activities
As annoying as it may be that fall isn’t quite here yet, the sun is still out and the days are long. Take advantage of the many National Parks in the DMV area. Go hiking or for a picnic. The Shenandoah Valley, if you’re up for a drive, has plenty of swimming holes, hiking trails and the iconic Skyline Drive that you can use to your advantage. Go to the Butterfly Pavilion (which is reopening on October 5th) in the district or the National Zoo. It may be a little warmer than you’d like, but these are things you may find yourself wishing you could do when it’s time to wear puffy jackets everywhere.Â
3. Say a Proper Goodbye to Summer
Most of us don’t refer to False Fall affectionately. If you think about it though, False Fall is nature’s way of letting you say your farewell to summer. Take advantage of that (even if you don’t like summer). Treat yourself to ice cream after dinner and revel in the fact that you can enjoy a cone of it outside without shivering. Relish watching the sunset in the late evening. Fall and winter have their wonders, but I would venture to say that spring and summer are the closest we can get to becoming in tune with nature. So, spend as much time as you can outside, whether in the sun or the shade, before you inevitably find yourself constantly wishing to be inside and away from the cold.Â
False Fall has been an enemy of mine for years, but at this point I have accepted its inevitability. While following this guide may not make you fall in love with False Fall, at the least you’ll get accustomed to it and move on unscathed, and at most you may not hate it quite so much next year.Â