Here's a breakdown of when leaves will change colors in Springfield

While it may not totally feel like fall yet, it may begin starting to look like it soon.

According to the 2024 Fall Foliage Prediction Map , which annually predicts the fall color changes, Springfield residents should start seeing colors change beginning on Sept. 30.

Here's a breakdown for when colors will begin changing in the Springfield area according to the map on Smokymountains.com .

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When will leaves begin to change?

Leaves will begin turning a pale-yellow color around Sept. 30. This type of change in color is described as "minimal."

What about orange and red leaves?

Orange and red leaves on trees will be seen throughout much of October, according to the map. The site says residents may start seeing orange leaves beginning Oct. 7 and last for a couple of weeks before turning more red around Oct. 21.

When will we see peak colors this year?

According to the map, Springfield residents should start seeing peak red colors around Oct. 28, which will last for about a week.

Why do leaves change color?

The timing of color changes and the reason they fall is primarily regulated by the calendar and as nights become longer, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

"None of the other environmental influences – such as temperature, rainfall, food supply – are as unvarying as the steadily increasing length of night during autumn," the website reads. "As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature's autumn palette."

Why are certain colors specific to autumn foliage?

Trees store certain sugars for the winter dormant period, according to the page from the U.S. Forest Service.

Three types of pigments are involved in autumn color:

• Carotenoids: Produces yellow, orange, and brown colors in such things as corn, carrots, and daffodils, as well as rutabagas, buttercups, and bananas.
• Anthocyanin: Gives color to such familiar things as cranberries, red apples, concord grapes, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums. They are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells.
• Chlorophyll: Gives leaves a basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for food.

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State-Journal Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Here's a breakdown of when leaves will change colors in Springfield