Fall colors forecast

What kind of colors will we have this year?

Sizzling scarlet and zesty yellows, or earthy oranges and rusty reds…what hues will paint the Minnesota landscape this year? We can only guess, but some recent weather factors could give us clues!

Dull or earthy fall colors can be caused by drought or leaf disease. Mild summer drought can enhance fall colors, but a severe drought usually dulls them considerably, with the lack of water causing foliage to turn straw-colored and die early. A severe summer drought landscape is filled with the subtler colors of tans, bronzes and auburns.

The best fall colors usually follow a growing season that had average precipitation. An excessively wet spring can cause leaf diseases on some species like aspen and oaks.

The weather in September also has a big impact on the shades we'll see. Leaves are more likely to display brilliant colors when the days are sunny and the nights are cool (between 32-45 °F), without big swings in temperature. Light frosts can help, but a hard freeze or early snow could stop the show in its tracks.

how does weather affect fall colors? Click to learn.

Here's why fall colors vary from year to year and place to place:

Weather is most critical in determining the colors displayed each fall.
Colors are best when high quality foliage - a product of a warm, moist summer - is exposed to sunny, cool fall days.
Light frosts may also help, but hard freezes can ruin the display.
Physiological stresses placed on trees can impact fall colors.
Cool, wet summers can cause premature displays of color.
A mild summer drought may actually increase the display, but severe drought usually dulls colors noticeably.
In some cases, foliage may die early and turn straw-colored due to a lack of water.
The slightest changes in weather in September - too warm, too cold, too wet, too dry - can slow color change or cause trees to drop leaves before they change color.
Because it is too dry to produce the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges, a severe summer drought will create a landscape filled with the subtler colors of tans, bronzes and auburns.

Maplewood, October 4, 2022 - Larry Kraft
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Maplewood, October 9, 2015 - David Nilles
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