Perhaps the most gorgeous spectacle each year is the arrival of fall when the trees turn into vibrant collages of reds, oranges, and yellows, but unfortunately the Northeast’s fall foliage may not be as vibrant this year as we’re used to.
Less than ideal weather forecasts, such as heat waves, heavy rainfalls, and Canada’s wildfires which blanketed much of North America in hazy smoke can have detrimental effects on fall foliage, such as dimming the vibrancy of the colors and affecting peak times and season length.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the range and intensity of autumn colors is greatly influenced by the weather.
Low temperatures and bright sunshine destroy chlorophyll (which causes the green pigment in leaves) and promote the formation of anthocyanins (pigments that make leaves appear red). Dry weather also helps anthocyanins form.
So, the brightest autumn colors are produced when dry, sunny days are followed by cool, dry nights. Though unfortunately that’s not the weather we’ve been experiencing.
Former meteorologist for New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Observatory Jim Salge has been forecasting New England’s foliage season since 2011, says The Washington Post, though this year he has several concerns.
For starters, the summer’s endless rain and humidity could have waterlogged the trees’ roots, causing the leaves to change earlier than usual. On the flip side, long stretches of warm temperatures could dilute the colors, causing the striking reds we’re used to seeing to present more like the shade of a thin tomato soup.
What’s more, an infestation of fungus could also make all the hues overall appear more muted.
“All of this suggests a softer, more pastel palette of foliage colors this year. They’d still be beautiful, just less bold,” says Salge.
With all things considered, Salge says the foliage colors in New England will definitely be affected, such as red colors being partially absent this year. Additionally, those who have leaf peeping on their fall bucket list should expect a lot of early color this year.
The good news about this is that it will make for a longer foliage season overall.
Lastly, a lot of the New England region trees may turn at the same time this year, compared to its usual wave of peak color that moves from the far-northern mountains to the coasts of Connecticut and Rhode Island over the span of five or six weeks.
Beyond the Northeast’s fall foliage what does this mean for New York specifically?
Well, much of the East Coast experienced the same warm, wet summer and extremely cold winter as New England.
So, as per Salge’s report, a long, late, and somewhat muted season should be anticipated regionwide.
Though, just because the colors may be a bit muted doesn’t mean they won’t still be beautiful and worth it to check out–the season is expected to fall, pun intended, between September 28 and October 28 (depending on elevation and distance from the coast) according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Those who want to see the changing of colors can start at these spots in New York! And, when the time comes, you can stay up to date with New York’s leaf changing season here.