When do leaves change color?
Fall color timing varies with latitude, elevation and tree species, while weather affects both timing and intensity.
The season, north to south
| Region | Typical peak |
|---|---|
| Interior Alaska | Sep 7 |
| High Colorado aspen | Sep 20 |
| Minnesota's Arrowhead | Sep 26 |
| Adirondacks | Oct 4 |
| Northern Vermont | Oct 5 |
| Northern Pennsylvania | Oct 11 |
| Shenandoah | Oct 13 |
| Blue Ridge, NC | Oct 17 |
| Ozarks | Oct 24 |
| Texas Hill Country | Nov 8 |
Shorter days and cooler temperatures
As autumn days shorten and temperatures cool, deciduous leaves stop producing new chlorophyll. The green fades and other pigments become visible, as the National Park Service explains.
Yellow, orange and red pigments
Carotenoids, the yellows and oranges, sit in the leaf all summer, masked by chlorophyll. They become visible as chlorophyll breaks down.
Anthocyanins, the reds and purples, are manufactured in autumn from sugars trapped in the leaf. They need warm sunny days to make the sugar and cool, frost-free nights to trap it. Weather can strengthen or mute the display, and different tree species produce different colors.
Peak dates by elevation
Our model estimates peak about 3.5 days earlier per 1,000 feet of elevation gain. If the ridges are past peak, try a lower valley. If the valley is still green, head uphill.
Location pages use each overlook's elevation to estimate its typical peak date. See the method.