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Fall Foliage 2012 - Eastern PA, NJ, DE, northern MD and northern Nevada

Parsley

By Parsley,
in Philadelphia Region

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Parsley

Parsley

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It's that time of year! Fall foliage season. My plans include some time in the Poconos in early October to see the sights.

I'm not sure how things will play out for our area after the hot/dry stretch earlier this summer, then the rainy, closer-to-normal temperatures from August on.

I got this off the awesome website: http://www.foliagene...id=34&Itemid=68

A big story in many locations has been the lack of snow and rain thus far in 2012. The map below depicts the year-to-date departure from normal precipitation. Many areas in the Northeast are at least four inches below normal, with some location behind over 10 inches. Looking at the map, it seems that Maine was mostly spared from an abnormally dry year. Not only has 2012 been dry, but the temperatures have been above normal. In fact, through July, 2012 has been the warmest year on record nationwide.

So what does this mean for the fall foliage? Typically, long-term dry weather leads to fall colors emerging earlier than normal. Of course, exactly how much earlier is not known, but it could be one to two weeks early. The dry weather may also result in a slightly shorter season as the leaves could drop sooner than normal. The above normal temperatures are not expected to have a major impact on the foliage. Please keep in mind, as we say every year, the weather DURING the foliage season can drastically affect the timing and longevity of the foliage season. Warm, sunny days, cool, crisp nights and normal precipitation bring about the best foliage conditions.

How will the colors be this season? Last year's display was far from spectacular. We believe this was due to the heavy rains that fell in late August and early September from the remnants of Hurricanes Irene and Lee. Ideally, that time frame should have average to slightly below average precipitation to bring about ideal color. This year fits that model, so the hope is that this year's foliage display should be better than that of 2011.

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Parsley

Parsley

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Pennsylvania does an area by area report each week starting in a couple weeks.

Site:

http://www.visitpa.com/fall-pa

Their last report from 2011

http://www.visitpa.com/sites/visitpa.com/files/Fall%20foliage%20rpt5_10252011.pdf

Awesome. Thanks. Last year I had planned to see nice color in the Lake George area of NY but with the wet end to summer and havoc caused by Irene the color up there was lacking. Hoping for better results this time around closer to home.

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famartin

famartin

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It's that time of year! Fall foliage season. My plans include some time in the Poconos in early October to see the sights.

I'm not sure how things will play out for our area after the hot/dry stretch earlier this summer, then the rainy, closer-to-normal temperatures from August on.

I got this off the awesome website: http://www.foliagene...id=34&Itemid=68

A big story in many locations has been the lack of snow and rain thus far in 2012. The map below depicts the year-to-date departure from normal precipitation. Many areas in the Northeast are at least four inches below normal, with some location behind over 10 inches. Looking at the map, it seems that Maine was mostly spared from an abnormally dry year. Not only has 2012 been dry, but the temperatures have been above normal. In fact, through July, 2012 has been the warmest year on record nationwide.

So what does this mean for the fall foliage? Typically, long-term dry weather leads to fall colors emerging earlier than normal. Of course, exactly how much earlier is not known, but it could be one to two weeks early. The dry weather may also result in a slightly shorter season as the leaves could drop sooner than normal. The above normal temperatures are not expected to have a major impact on the foliage. Please keep in mind, as we say every year, the weather DURING the foliage season can drastically affect the timing and longevity of the foliage season. Warm, sunny days, cool, crisp nights and normal precipitation bring about the best foliage conditions.

How will the colors be this season? Last year's display was far from spectacular. We believe this was due to the heavy rains that fell in late August and early September from the remnants of Hurricanes Irene and Lee. Ideally, that time frame should have average to slightly below average precipitation to bring about ideal color. This year fits that model, so the hope is that this year's foliage display should be better than that of 2011.

The long term dry weather mentioned here doesn't really apply to most of this region, since the last couple months have been wet. I think it matters WHEN the dry weather occurs... if its in late summer and early fall, then colors may well come earlier. But this year, the dry weather was earlier, so it might not make any difference. Just my thoughts...

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famartin

famartin

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How will the colors be this season? Last year's display was far from spectacular. We believe this was due to the heavy rains that fell in late August and early September from the remnants of Hurricanes Irene and Lee. Ideally, that time frame should have average to slightly below average precipitation to bring about ideal color. This year fits that model, so the hope is that this year's foliage display should be better than that of 2011.

Also, I question how true this is... the last time I was home for Autumn in 2009, it was a wet summer and fall, but the colors were very good.

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Parsley

Parsley

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The long term dry weather mentioned here doesn't really apply to most of this region, since the last couple months have been wet. I think it matters WHEN the dry weather occurs... if its in late summer and early fall, then colors may well come earlier. But this year, the dry weather was earlier, so it might not make any difference. Just my thoughts...

I tend to agree with you. It is one of the fun things about foliage, you never know til the trees do what they do. I am thinking there will be good color this fall. As long as another massive wind and rain storm doesn't throw a wrench in things ala Irene in New England.

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Parsley

Parsley

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Also, I question how true this is... the last time I was home for Autumn in 2009, it was a wet summer and fall, but the colors were very good.

I think the degree of rain & wind potentially ruined things in alot of areas. Rain itself likely is not to blame.

We shall see. Trees were nowhere near as stressed this summer as they were last year due to early heat and dry weather.

Therefore, I expect more color.

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Parsley

Parsley

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I have a few trees with many yellow leaves again signs of dryness prior to current soggy conditions.

Yeah, but comparing it to last summer, it was less severe (atleast in my neck of the woods). I'm just hoping for improvement this year compared to last.

Remember too, last year late September/early October featured that huge upper level low over the Northeast that brought plenty of unseasonably cool, crappy/wet days. It was quite miserable for a time.

I wish I knew the exact science behind trees/colors/weather. It's pretty interesting stuff.

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Parsley

Parsley

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This is a good opportunity to give a quick overview of why the leaves change. The leaves on the trees act as food factories. The chlorophyll (green pigment) in the leaves absorbs energy from the sun. That energy, combined with water, help the trees produce carbon dioxide and carbohydrates (sugars and starches). As fall approaches, the amount of daylight dwindles, and this is a signal to the trees that winter is approaching. In response, the trees cease the production of chlorophyll. As the green pigment begins to break down, other pigments (most of which have been there all summer) in the leaves are allowed to show through. These other pigments (yellows, oranges and reds) give us the fantastic foliage show! While diminishing daylight is the main trigger, the weather during the foliage season can play a major role in the amount and brilliance of color and the longevity of the foliage season.

http://www.foliagene...st-us&Itemid=68

-----

In my neck of the woods, not really seeing anything yet (way too early anyway). :)

09122012_lc.gif

I'm really hoping we can get weather like this in early/mid October.

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iceman56

iceman56

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This is a good opportunity to give a quick overview of why the leaves change. The leaves on the trees act as food factories. The chlorophyll (green pigment) in the leaves absorbs energy from the sun. That energy, combined with water, help the trees produce carbon dioxide and carbohydrates (sugars and starches). As fall approaches, the amount of daylight dwindles, and this is a signal to the trees that winter is approaching. In response, the trees cease the production of chlorophyll. As the green pigment begins to break down, other pigments (most of which have been there all summer) in the leaves are allowed to show through. These other pigments (yellows, oranges and reds) give us the fantastic foliage show! While diminishing daylight is the main trigger, the weather during the foliage season can play a major role in the amount and brilliance of color and the longevity of the foliage season.

http://www.foliagene...st-us&Itemid=68

-----

In my neck of the woods, not really seeing anything yet (way too early anyway). :)

09122012_lc.gif

I'm really hoping we can get weather like this in early/mid October.

Rhode Island is a treeless wasteland...

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Parsley

Parsley

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I'm planning to go to Lancaster in early October to catch the foliage. I will take pics then.

Cool. Hopefully early October isn't too soon for Lancaster.

I'm in the middle of planning my Poconos visit spots for early October. Got several nice ideas for places to visit from people here.

Thanks again!

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Voyager

Voyager

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I'd suggest waiting a few weeks. Unless its a cool September, there probably won't be a whole lot of color by then.

Yeah. For Lancaster, probably at least the third weekend, and perhaps closer to Halloween for good color. Up along I-81 near Hazleton there are hints of color on some of the early turners. I don't know what kind of tree, but mixed in with the green is a light spattering of deep burgundy red in some of the trees.

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