Getty Images / Zane Chambers
If you're like me, then you want to savor summer as long as you can. But, fall is coming up soon, and believe it or not, some areas are starting to see leaves changing colors very early this year. So, when will fall colors happen in your area? Let's look at what's going on in the United States this year and what it means for fall colors. Some areas of the country are seeing fall colors early, but that doesn't mean there won't be vibrant colors come autumn.
When Will Fall Colors Happen in Your Area This Year?
If you've noticed leaves changing early this year, like really early, it's probably because of weather conditions over the summer. According to the experts at Harvard Forest, summer droughts can stress trees out. "They may thus lose their leaves prematurely or start color production prematurely," they state. "The result is a reduction of color during the peak of the season." So, areas that get adequate summer rain get healthier trees, and because of that, those trees change color in the fall, not the summer. I've seen some leaves already changing colors where I live, so it likely has to do with a lack of water this season or the very warm temperatures. It's just wrong to see fall colors in July and August, if you ask me. The trees didn't even start to bud until early summer, and now we're already getting some colors, and I'm not okay with it.
The experts at the Farmer's Almanac are out with their annual predictions on when to expect fall colors in your area. They note that leaves can change their color from mid-September through early November, depending on where you live. Of course, as mentioned earlier, that's for healthy leaves. Unhealthy leaves can produce changing colors even sooner. In general, the Farmer's Almanac says the second and third week of October are the best times to see fall colors, but it varies based on where you are and what weather you're experiencing.
So, when will fall colors happen? Experts from the Farmer's Almanac say that "foliage starts to change in the northern-tier states out West and in the Midwest by late September" and that by Oct. 4, the foliage in many spots will be past their prime. Also, "Much of New England as well as the Pacific Northwest, will be at or near peak fall color by Oct. 11." Finally, looking south into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the best time to view radiant fall colors this year is mid-October. In general, the further south you go, the later the timing for peak colors. So, if you're wondering when will fall colors arrive, that's a timeline. According to the Smithsonian Institute, "The lack of chlorophyll reveals yellow and orange pigments that were already in the leaves but masked during the warmer months," as we all learned in grade school.
