Dry summer, warm fall may dampen Pennsylvania’s autumn splendor
Share this post:
If the fall foliage peaks early this year or the leaf colors aren’t as vibrant, there is only one person to blame: Mother Nature.
She’s responsible for the drought this summer. It’s her fault the above-normal temperatures have lasted into fall and the temperatures haven’t dropped much at night. These conditions are the opposite of those needed to make for brilliant leaf hues — they need some summer rain, a dry autumn, seasonably warm sunny days and cool nights.
Ryan Reed, natural resource program specialist for the Bureau of Forestry at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said that means some areas of Pennsylvania, such as Somerset, most likely will peak early. Other areas of the state won’t be far behind in changing colors because they had moderate droughts.
With the recent rain and still rather warm temperatures combined with windy conditions, some leaves may fall before they can change colors.
“Mother Nature has put us in this wet pattern for a few days, and we might be stuck in this pattern with not a lot in change of temperature, which is not a good recipe for fall color,” Reed said.
Normally in Pennsylvania, the leaves peak around mid-October. This year, there are conflicting reports about what is going to happen, said Brian Hutton Jr., meteorologist for WTAE, TribLive’s news partner.
Hutton said the dry conditions at the beginning of August and into September might cause leaves to change earlier — but he echoed that it hasn’t been cool enough at night. Western Pennsylvania has had 18 consecutive days with above-normal temperatures, and October looks to be warmer than usual, too, he said.
“The rain we have been having recently may pause the leaves changing somewhat and help to hold off some of the leaves changing until closer to early October,” Hutton said. “But even if that happens, they might not be as bright this fall. Mother Nature will mute some of the colors.”
[gps-image name=”7771535_web1_ptr-FallFoliage-Overton.jpg”]
Eric Knopsnyder, director of public relations and community outreach for Go Laurel Highlands, said he thinks the leaves are always a fall attraction, regardless of their schedule.
“Leaf peeping is fun, and it’s a part of fall just like fall festival and other happenings,” Knopsnyder said. “Many people take long drives to not only get a great view of the leaves but to also do something on the trip — from spending time at Seven Springs or riding the Allegheny Passage. Some people take hikes or camp in the woods. Whether the leaves are changing earlier than usual or on a normal schedule, they are still something to see in this area of the country because of all the elevation changes. The scenery is wonderful. When you have beautiful sunny fall days, the sun reflecting off the trees is breathtaking.”
Go Laurel Highlands has a few suggestions of where to see fall leaves here.