If you want to see vibrant fall foliage in Virginia, your best chance may be to head to the mountains.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines told AFP that “mountains are always better due to the high number of trees and in general, cooler weather.”
The entire state should see some color this fall, he said, but it’s likely the color will be “much duller than usual.”
AccuWeather experts believe that insect and fungus damage may lead to duller colors and early droppage of leaves in states including Virginia, Pennsylvania, western Maryland, West Virginia and Tennessee.
“Unfortunately, we feel the dry summer put stress on the trees, and when that happens, the colors are usually much duller than usual.”
Similar conditions were present last year in Virginia due to the dry conditions.
Kines said that even if there is more rain in September, it’s probably too late to improve conditions of leaves.
“I’m not saying there won’t be any color – just not as vibrant as usual.”
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Peak colors in Virginia will likely come some time between mid-October and early November.
Fall foliage facts
- Steady rainfall in spring and early summer help trees enter the fall season with less stress
- Cool nights and sunny days in the early fall fuel the reds and purples; warm, humid nights do the opposite
- Drought, wind, torrential rain, insects and early frost can cut the season short and result in duller colors
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Crystal Graham
