What does sizzling summer mean for fall foliage? Here's a preview
The group has major concerns about the season in the Midwest. An ongoing drought could lead to delayed fall colors. Communities in the West and Alaska could have their best season in years due to the lack of drought.
Florida Fall Foliage Wows
When beautiful fall colors have typically disappeared from northern states this is when it's time for Florida's colorful foliage to shine.
Summer is scorching most of the U.S. right now, but in just a few weeks, leaves will begin their annual color change across the Last Frontier, marking the approach of a new season.
The Foliage Report recently released a preview of autumn titled the "Health of Foliage," and for large parts of the country, there are early indications it could be a decent year for spectators.
The annual fall foliage is highly contingent on location and, in many areas, starts as early as late September and peaks in either October or November. However, weather conditions during the summer and early fall can play a big role in how extravagant the sights are.
Experts said drought conditions can interrupt the leaf-changing process and lead to more muted colors.
The Foliage Report broke down each region’s climate and whether the classic fall foliage sights will live up to expectations.
TEMPERATURE, MOISTURE INFLUENCE THE BRILLIANCE OF FALL COLORS
(FOX Weather)
Improving conditions in some regions
The Foliage Report said it is no longer concerned about a poor season in the Northeast due to recent rainfall.
The rains can promote tree health and leaf retention into the fall months.
Some of the areas that could still use more rain are the Catoctin Mountain area of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
The experts said that there is still time left for decent rains to rescue the season.
Estimated soil moisture
(FOX Weather)
Drought is a worry for many
Many communities across the Plains and the Midwest are not looking at a decent season due to continued drought.
The Foliage Report highlighted areas of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin as being in an extreme drought, where there may not be enough time to turn things around.
Parts of the area may see a "delay in fall color by weeks and the potential for the leaves turning brown and falling."
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, only 15% of the Midwest and half of the Plains are not in a drought.
WHY IS THE PUMPKIN ASSOCIATED WITH FALL?
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Good news for many
If you live in the Southeast, West or Alaska, the Foliage Report said you could be seeing a very healthy fall color season with just a few exceptions.
Communities in Northern Virginia, Washington and Oregon are still behind on rainfall for the year, but there remains some time to make up deficits.
The experts said due to a snowy winter and spring, many parts of the West could see impressive colors, which is a change from previous years.
Out of all the regions of the country, the group seemed most excited about Alaska, where leaves will start to change in just a few weeks.
Communities in Alaska are losing around 5 minutes of sunlight every day, which is one of the ingredients in the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves.
The absence of the pigment allows the green color to fade and yellows, oranges and reds to become visible.
Peak of fall foliage around the country
(FOX Weather)