Just when the dog days of summer are getting old and you feel that first hint of crispness to the air. Ahhh, you throw on a hoodie and light that first pumpkin-scented candle… surprise! It’s false fall — that brief, deceitful dip in temperatures that tricks you into thinking autumn has arrived early.

The mornings feel crisp, the sun isn’t quite as relentless, and you might even catch yourself reaching for all the comforts of fall. But don’t get too comfortable — summer isn’t done with you yet.

False fall is a seasonal fake-out, often showing up in late August or early September, especially in places that experience dramatic seasonal shifts. It happens when a cold front temporarily knocks back the summer heat, giving you a fleeting taste of cooler weather. But just as quickly as it comes, it fades. Suddenly, you’re sweating through your jeans at 90 degrees again, wondering how you fell for it again this year.

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Meteorologically speaking, this cooler blip doesn’t signal the real change of seasons. The sun is still high, daylight is still long, and the atmosphere hasn’t fully shifted yet. Think of it as a seasonal teaser, it keeps you wanting more (and maybe questioning your wardrobe choices). So go ahead and enjoy those cozy vibes, just don’t put away the flip-flops quite yet.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.