Leaf peepers rejoice — conditions appear to be aligning for vibrant fall colors in western and central New York and the North Country.
AccuWeather predicts especially colorful fall foliage across more than 20 states this autumn, though not in traditional prime areas like much of New England.
“The better spots for colorful fall foliage are forecast to be in parts of upstate New York, western New York, and central and northern Pennsylvania,” said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather lead long-range expert, in a statement. “Those areas have had a little bit less rainfall. Through September, we may be missing out on the heaviest rainfall. Cooler nights will bring out some of those brighter colors in those areas.”
What weather makes for vibrant fall foliage?
The degree and brilliance of leaf colors in autumn is connected to the weather conditions before and after chlorophyll, the pigment that makes leaves greens and facilitates photosynthesis, dwindles, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The biggest factors are temperature and moisture. Warm, sunny days and cool, but not freezing, nights are needed for the generation of sugar within deciduous trees — those that lose their leaves.