Summary
- Best Time for Fall Foliage
- Key Destinations for Leaf-Peeping
- Weather Impact on Fall Colors
Labor Day is behind us, which means it’s time to unpack the cozy sweaters, warm mittens, and oversized scarves and start plotting out those leaf-peeping adventures. However, before diving into planning, you may want to check out AccuWeather’s fall foliage forecast, as it highlights some rather surprising must-see destinations for this season’s leaves.
1. Best Time for Fall Foliage
This year, according to the team at AccuWeather, the best time to see stunning fall foliage across much of the nation, including in prime spots like the upper Midwest and the Rocky Mountains, will be in late September and into early October. Following this, areas like the Appalachians and the Ohio Valley are expected to peak in mid-October. The season will conclude at the end of October in Washington, Oregon, and California.
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2. Key Destinations for Leaf-Peeping
While many have come to love the New England region for its typically spectacular fall foliage displays, AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok indicated that this year, those keen on leaf-peeping may want to head west. “The best places to check out the fall foliage this season include the Northeast, the Great Lakes in the upper Midwest, and even the West,” he explained. “The aspens should look particularly vibrant from late September to mid-October.”
AccuWeather’s fall foliage map also identifies key destinations in the West, including Northern California, southern Idaho, much of Utah, and large areas of Colorado. However, due to heat waves this summer and windy conditions expected in early fall, Pastelok predicts a lackluster foliage year for many southern U.S. states, including northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and nearby regions.
3. Weather Impact on Fall Colors
Moreover, Pastelok noted, “October could see significant changes as cold air moves in, possibly causing an early frost.” This shift could further influence the landscape’s colors throughout the fall season.
For an in-depth analysis, see AccuWeather’s full foliage forecast at accuweather.com.
