Did you know that certain weather patterns make for more vibrant fall foliage? Likewise, varying weather can reduce the amount of fall color seen during a season. As we approach the second half of August, we can start looking at a few different resources to determine what the foliage might look like this year.
First, let’s start with the science of fall colors. During spring and summer, various chemical reactions take place in the leaves that give them their green color. As summer turns to fall, the nights get longer and these chemical reactions slow down. Eventually, they stop completely and the production of the green color stops. When this happens, yellows and reds that were previously hidden by the green color become visible. While the main reason for this is the change in the amount of daylight due to the changing seasons, the weather still plays a role.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the weather pattern that produces the brightest fall leaves is warm, sunny fall days followed by crisp but not frosty nights. Frosts can cause the leaves to die and fall from the tree without changing color. The Forest Service also says that a warm period during the fall season reduces the vibrancy of fall leaves.
