America has started to feel a little chill in the air and that means fall is upon us, when the bright green leaves turn to shades of orange, yellow and brown.
If you’re wondering when your city will be covered in beautiful fall foliage, then this interactive map predicting peak viewing dates should be helpful.
The new season has already begun to arrive in New England and some parts of Washington, North Dakota and Montana.
By September 25, all northern states and some parts of the West Coast will be covered in fall colors.
Midwestern states like Iowa, Kansas and Ohio will be fully enveloped in fall colors on October 9, but those in the South will have to wait until October 30 to see the first signs of the season.
Although by November 13, only the southern states including Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida will have foliage, while the rest of the country will be past their peak season.
The map, which can be consulted at Smoky Mountains.comwas created by David Angotti.
By September 25, all northern states and some parts of the West Coast will be covered in fall colors.
Midwestern states like Iowa, Kansas, and Ohio will be fully enveloped in fall colors by October 9.
Except for the southern states, all other parts of the country will be covered in fall colors.
The predictive map uses a complex algorithm that calculates more than 37,000 data points to accurately forecast when the fall peak will occur at the county level.
And while it’s not 100 percent accurate, it’s a tool used by avid leaf peepers to plan their annual trips to see the spectacular colors across the country.
The leaves can change color from mid-September to early November. Typically, the second and third weeks of October are marked as peak times, but they may vary depending on location and local weather conditions.
When autumn leaves fall to the ground, they gradually decompose and create a nutrient-rich layer on the forest floor. This layer acts like a sponge, absorbing water and providing food for trees and plants. It helps them grow healthy in the spring.
By the end of October, the entire US will experience fall foliage and most northern states will be past their peak season.
By November 13, only the southern states, including Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, will host foliage, while the rest of the country will be past its peak foliage season.
So while the leaves that fall in autumn protect trees during the winter, they also help them survive and thrive in the spring and summer. This natural cycle keeps trees healthy and sustainable year after year.
The green on the map highlights trees that have not yet changed color and the brown is no longer visible at the peak, but the two shades of red indicate “near the peak” and “peak.”
Compared to last year, fall foliage will arrive earlier in 2023. Most of the country experienced the season on October 17, 2022, but on October 9 of this year, most states will be covered in fall colors .
Data has shown that climate change is the reason fall came early in the US and other parts of the world.
Fall foliage displays changing colors in Woodstock, New Hampshire, USA, in October last year. Due to climate change, the US will see the start of fall earlier than last year
The reason climate change is bad for fall foliage has a little to do with plant biology.
When the days get shorter and temperatures drop, the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, causing them to lose their green color. Green gives way to yellows, reds and oranges that create spectacular autumn displays.
As the planet warms, dry regions are expected to become drier and wet regions to receive more precipitation. This extreme weather caused stress on trees in areas that receive minimal rainfall.
This stress can cause leaves to lose their fall color, turn completely, and simply die and fall off instead of following their natural process.
These trends impact the aesthetics of fall foliage, as well as raising concerns about agriculture and water supply, and are expected to be more dramatic in the future.
