As millions of leaf peepers prepare for the arrival of changing leaves across the U.S., this year’s weather will impact the peak of fall foliage for some regions.
Explore Fall, a website that provides resources and tools to track the changing colors of leaves, is predicting an earlier and quicker fall foliage peak for the millions of people looking to see this year’s natural spectacle.
“We are tracking multiple areas of high stress in the foliage across the country, and a few regions of rapid-onset drought, which may quicken the onset of colors,” said Peter Forister, social media manager and developer of Explore Fall.
Here are their regional forecasts for this year’s fall foliage:
Northeast: Due to high stress conditions for trees resulting from exceptionally low soil moisture and increasing drought conditions, some popular leaf peeping spots will experience a short-lived and less vibrant peak foliage compared to normal years.
Southeast: Although parts of the region are beginning to experience drier conditions, much of the Southeast will experience conditions typical for early fall. Much of the Southeast, especially the southern Appalachians, remains on track for an on-time and vibrant peak foliage.
Midwest: Some areas of the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will likely see muted colors during peak foliage due to increasing drought conditions. However, places farther north, like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and most of Wisconsin, look to be in a good spot to see an on-time and vibrant peak foliage.
West: Widespread severe drought conditions across much of the Rocky Mountains will likely lead to an early peak foliage with muted colors, with early color already appearing.