Fall foliage predictions: These maps show when and where to see peak colors

The blistering summer of 2024 will soon be coming to an end, and that means fall leaf peeping can't be far behind.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. "Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions," the Almanac said.

Warm, sunny days are good for vibrant fall colors, but only if they are accompanied by cool nights, according to the Weather Channel. Precipitation can also affect the color show – extreme drought and excessive rainfall are both detrimental to foliage.

A warm period during fall will also lower the intensity of autumn colors, the U.S. Forest Service said. The latest forecast from the Climate Prediction Center shows that a warmer-than-average fall is likely for nearly the entire U.S.

Where and when leaves are predicted to change

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of how the 2023 foliage changed across the U.S.:

New England boasts some of the most colorful fall foliage displays. Every year, about ten million leafpeepers visit the region to enjoy the beauty of fall. Typically, northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and northwest Maine experience peak early in October.

Parts of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania must wait until late into October, according to ExploreFall.com .

Drought can affect fall colors

According to the U.S. Forest Service, a severe summer drought can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. Drought was particularly harsh in the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians this summer, which could delay the fall foliage season there, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

How leaves change color in the fall

As the amount of daylight gets shorter in the fall, chlorophyll production in leaves slows down and eventually stops. Chlorophyll gives leaves a green color, so when these pigments are not visible, carotenoids, which produce yellow orange and brown colors, show through, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Bright light and excess plant sugars are abundant during the season, and they help produce anthocyanins, which add red to plants.

SOURCE The National Forest Service, SmokyMountains.com, ExploreFall.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fall foliage predictions: These maps show when and where to see peak colors