Where Fall Foliage Is Bound To Be Most Brilliant This Autumn

Stowe, Vermont – Photo credit: Adobe Stock/rabbit75_fot

As autumn approaches, leaf-peeping enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating Mother Nature’s most colorful spectacle. But, this year’s best fall foliage displays may not be in the usual locations, according to a new forecast from AccuWeather. The weather conditions seen across the U.S. during summer might mean that some lesser-known areas could steal the show in 2024, offering the most vibrant displays of red, orange and yellow leaves.

Weather’s Role in Fall Foliage Brilliance

The vibrancy of autumn colors are closely tied to weather patterns throughout the summer and early fall. Consistent rainfall throughout the summer is a key factor in creating the ideal conditions for healthy and vivid leaves. Drought, on the other hand, stresses trees, causing them to shed their leaves prematurely and leading to duller colors. 

But there’s a delicate balance to be struck, as too much rain can also pose a problem. “If there’s a lot of rain from late summer into the early fall, you can get mold to develop on some of the trees and also invite lots of insects,” said Paul Paselok, AccuWeather’s Lead Long-Range Meteorologist. 

Another important ingredient for picturesque leafage is sunny days followed by cool nights, as this combination accelerates the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves, revealing the colorful pigments underneath. But again, balance is crucial, since overnight frost can halt the development of pigments altogether and suddenly end the leaf-peeping season. 

The Best Places for Leaf-Peeping in 2024

Thanks to an optimal combination of weather patterns, 2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for fall foliage across the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi River Valley, extending to more than a dozen states.

“I think the best places to go are parts of the Midwest,” Pastelok noted, adding, “The trees should have nice reds and oranges, and that could extend all the way down to parts of the Ozarks and parts of southern Missouri.”

In the Northeast, areas like upstate New York, the Adirondacks and northern Pennsylvania—including the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and the Finger Lakes region—are also predicted to prove prime leaf-peeping destinations. 

Areas Where Autumn Displays May Disappoint

While much of the Midwest and Northeast may dazzle onlookers with brilliant leafy displays, the eastern U.S. may let down leaf-peepers this year. Unseasonably warm and humid weather in from mid-to-late September is forecast to make the start of autumn feel more like summer, which will impact the formation of fall colors from New England to the southern Appalachians. 

“If you add on tropical moisture coming out of the Southeast up into the Northeast at times, that could also lead to mold development and a lot of insects,” Pastelok said. Drought conditions in these regions can lead to lackluster displays. Plus, potential tropical winds could blow the leaves off trees, bringing the leaf-peeping season to an abrupt end. 

Meanwhile, in the Western U.S., conditions also appear less favorable for the formation of fall hues, although select spots could still deliver kaleidoscopic displays.  

“We’ve had heat and drought here in the back end of the summer in full force, that’s going to persist into the early part of the fall season,” Pastelok explained about his predictions for the Rockies. The peak leaf-peeping period will also be delayed by the late arrival of autumnal weather. 

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.