As the seasons change and cooler weather approaches, leaves around the Northern U.S. are beginning to morph into vibrant colors of fall – and two states in particular are set to have the most colorful displays of foliage this year.
Some of the most beautiful displays of the fall season could be in the Midwest this year, especially in Michigan and Illinois, according to ABC News.
The colors of Autumn leaves peak at different times across the U.S.
In northern parts of the country, peak foliage season starts pretty early – sometimes in the first week of September.
The Southern parts of the country typically experience their peak in early to mid-November.
The timing of these peak colors and their vibrancy also depend on certain weather factors, according to WWMT.
Michigan’s peak colors are arriving a little later than normal this year – and the recent dry weather in the state is to blame, Evan Fisher, the founder of Explore Fall, told WWMT.
The state hasn’t seen too much rain over the last several weeks and some trees are starting feel its effects.
Soil moisture across West Michigan is also running a little dry, leading to warmer than average temperatures.
‘Those late dry spells in the late summer and early fall are the ones that often 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 colors. It’s very species dependent. Some trees will turn a bit brighter if the soil conditions are drier and others will be more dull.’
But when the weather is just right, leaves will really begin to transform – experts predicting peak season arriving in mid to late October and possibly into early November.
Peak season for foliage in Illinois varies across the state, and residents across northern Illinois are expected to be the first in the state to catch a glimpse at the lively leaves, according to NBC Chicago.
Leaf-lovers in the city of Chicago and other surrounding areas north of the state are expected to see peak colors in the second week of October.
Central Illinois have to wait a tad longer – with the most alluring sights expected in late October.
As for southern Illinois, the last week of October is peak-season.
But despite having to patiently wait for the views, the southwest has plenty of breathtaking spots and destinations to soak up autumn’s beauty, NBC Chicago added.
Every year, those who are a sucker for a good view hop in their cars and travel to different regions across the country to experience one of nature’s most compelling creations.
Leaf peeping – the act of traveling to witness nature’s annual ‘kaleidoscope’, contributes billions of dollars to the economy, especially in New England and New York, according to ABC News.
Maine is a fan-favorite for a magnificent fall season. The state office of tourism was already gearing up as September approached for an influx of tourists, ABC News added.
The state is almost completely surrounded by nature – with 89 percent of the land covered in forests, according to USDA Forest Service.
Gale Ross, Maine’s fall foliage spokesperson, told ABC that the state ‘had an abundance of daily sunshine with just the right amount of rainfall to set the stage for a breathtaking foliage season’.
‘The growing season of 2024 has been excellent for trees, supporting tree health and resilience that should lead to brilliant fall colors throughout Maine,’ Aaron Bergdahl, the state’s forest pathologist, told ABC.
Despite climate change and the warming planet causing droughts and turning leaves brown and crunchy before they even reach their peak – Maine is already starting to experience leaf turn.
And tourism is expected to continue.
Across the 24 states in the eastern half of the country that have brilliant fall color, leaf peeping may contribute to upward of $30 billion, according to App State 125.