Autumnal equinox marks start of fall, but heat could stick around

The autumnal equinox marks the official start of fall, but high temperatures may persist across the U.S. following a record hot August. Current weather forecasts indicate that El Niño is expected to reach its peak during either late fall or early winter. This atmospheric phenomenon, combined with previous record heat, raises questions about the specific weather patterns the United States will experience as the season progresses toward the end of the calendar year.