Two US states top list for vivid colorful display of fall foliage in 2024
As the seasons change and colder weather approaches, the leaves in the northern United States are beginning to turn into vibrant fall colors. Two states in particular will be showcasing the most colorful foliage displays this year.
Some of the most beautiful fall displays this year could occur in the Midwest, according to a study from the University of Michigan and Illinois. ABC News.
Fall leaf colors peak at different times across the US
In the northern parts of the country, the peak season for autumn leaves starts quite early, sometimes as early as the first week of September.
A view from Porcupine Mountains, located in upper Michigan, is considered one of the best places for fall views and blooming fall colors
The downtown skyline of Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers stunning views of the city and surrounding nature during the peak deciduous tree season.
Michigan is expected to be one of the two states with the most beautiful fall colors this season
In the southern parts of the country, the rainy season is usually at its peak in early to mid-November.
The time when these colours are at their most beautiful and how vibrant they are also depends on certain weather factors, according to WWMT.
Michigan’s best colors are coming a little later than normal this year — and that’s thanks to the state’s recent dry weather, Evan Fisher, founder of Explore Fall, told WWMT.
The state hasn’t seen much rain in recent weeks and some trees are starting to feel the effects.
Soil moisture is also depleting somewhat in West Michigan, causing temperatures to be higher than average.
A historic street in Ottawa, Illinois, on a fall afternoon shows the incredible street lined with red and orange trees
Illinois has some of the best destinations for leaf-watching, including Chicago’s Lincoln Park, which is lined with trees and residential buildings as a backdrop
Located in Chicago, Millennium Park offers a great walking space to enjoy the fall views – with the infamous ‘bean’ as a backdrop
“Those late dry spells in late summer and early fall are the ones that tend to result in some early leaf drop,” Fisher added. “That’s an unfortunate side effect of it, but it really just shortens the peak window of color.”
“It doesn’t always mean duller colours. It really depends on the species. Some trees become a bit brighter when the ground is drier and others become duller.”
But when the weather is right, the leaves really start to change, with experts predicting peak season will arrive sometime in mid to late October and possibly even early November.
The peak season for leafy greens in Illinois varies by state, and residents of Northern Illinois are expected to be the first in the state to catch a glimpse of the vibrant leaves, according to NBC Chicago.
Foliage lovers in the city of Chicago and surrounding areas in the northern part of the state can expect the most beautiful colors during the second week of October.
In Central Illinois you will have to wait a little longer. The best sights are expected in late October.
In southern Illinois, the last week of October is peak season.
Autumn colors at their peak have been captured at a cemetery in Cumberland, Maine
Maine is the most forested state in the country and has many natural parks, including the view (pictured) at Camden Hills State Park, located in Camden, Maine.
But despite the patient wait for the view, the Southwest has plenty of breathtaking places and destinations where you can enjoy the beauty of fall, according to NBC Chicago.
Every year, lovers of beautiful views get in their cars and travel to different parts of the country to admire one of nature’s most fascinating creations.
According to ABC News, “leaf peeping,” the annual practice of traveling to view nature’s “kaleidoscope,” brings billions of dollars into the economy, especially in New England and New York.
Maine is a fan favorite for its magnificent fall season, and the state tourism office was already preparing for an influx of tourists as September approached, ABC News added.
The state is almost completely surrounded by nature – 89 percent of the country is covered by forests, according to USDA Forest Service.
Located in upstate New York, the Catskill Mountains are a beautiful experience in the fall with landscapes full of colorful trees and surrounding mountains
Saranac Lake, located in New York, offers beautiful views of the water and surrounding trees that tower over the homes and give the lake a stunning color due to the reflection
Gale Ross, Maine’s fall color spokesperson, told ABC the state had “plenty of sunshine every day and just enough rainfall to ensure a breathtaking fall season.”
“The 2024 growing season has been excellent for trees, promoting tree health and resilience, which should lead to brilliant fall colors across Maine,” Aaron Bergdahl, the state’s forest pathologist, told ABC.
Despite climate change and global warming causing droughts and leaves to turn brown and crispy before they reach their peak, Maine is already beginning to experience leaf discoloration.
And tourism is expected to continue.
In the 24 states in the eastern half of the country with brilliant fall colors, leaf viewing could contribute more than $30 billion, according to App status 125.