Weather Explainers

Peeping Into What Makes Fall Color So Vibrant

At a Glance

Weather conditions that are too dry or too hot can have an impact on fall leaf colors.
Shorter days and longer nights begin the process of leaves changing color.
Parts of New England and the West are in peak color.

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Millions of people every year make it a fall goal to witness the beautiful changing of leaves, hitting at just the right time to see peak season when trees are at their maximum brightness. It’s a challenging feat, considering the date on which leaves reach their peak brightness varies from year to year.

The reason peak season varies has to do with the many factors that play into why the leaves change in the first place, and much of it has to do with the weather.

Temperature and moisture play a huge role in when the tree colors will really pop

Leaves need warm, sunny days with cool, clear nights to maximize the color.

The amount of rain an area receives leading up to fall can determine the leaves’ brightness and arrival of peak season.

“A late spring, or a severe summer drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks,” according to the U.S. Forest Service.

If there is an intense warmup during fall, it can impact the brightness of the leaves, making their color appear more dull.

(For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.)

Ideal weather conditions for bright, beautiful fall leaves

Spring: warm and wet
Summer: favorable (not too hot or too dry)
Fall: warm, sunny days/cool nights

These ideal conditions may seem like a lot to ask, considering how volatile our environment can be. But each year, certain pockets of our country put on a show with the most mind-blowing hues of fall color.

Length of night plays a role in leaves changing color

One of the main drivers in leaves beginning the process of changing color has to do with the shorter days and longer nights. As the seasons start to change and nights grow longer, leaves begin their process of shutting down and eventually falling to the ground.

We know that chlorophyll uses sunlight and converts it to energy, allowing for trees to grow and thrive. Once the days become shorter, this process begins to slow, eventually leading to trees stopping the production of chlorophyll altogether.

This allows other colors within the leaf that were being masked by the chlorophyll to now show through and show off.

The species of tree determines which molecules it contains, resulting in different colors. For example, leaves that contain carotene will display orange tones, while leaves that contain xanthophyll will display beautiful yellow hues.

Where fall color is currently peaking

If you're itching to grab some pumpkin spice and venture out in search of beautiful fall color, there are many places across the country that are experiencing peak or nearing peak.

East: Much of New England, the Ohio Valley and Midwest are currently experiencing peak color. The mid-South and mid-Atlantic are nearing peak.

West: In the west, fall color is a little more patchy. Parts of the Rocky Mountains are already past peak, but there are still plenty of spots where you can find brilliant color. Parts of the northern Rockies, as well as the Southwest, are still nearing peak.

Many of the Forest Service's 100 plus National Scenic Byways were planned with autumn color in mind. Almost every one of them offers a beautiful, colorful drive sometime in the autumn.

Track fall foliage across the country here.