It’s only a few weeks until the first official day in fall, so it’s time for you to start planning your leaf-peeping adventure. The first official day of fall is only weeks away, so it’s time to prepare for your leaf peeping adventures. SmokyMountains.com The detailed foliage map is back to help you.
The website released its map in late August and made its predictions based on what it called a “finely tuned data model” that takes into account a variety of factors including the past temperature and precipitation as well as the forecast temperature and rainfall, along with the types of trees that are known to be prevalent in the geographic region and the historical trends of that area. It also included something extra: the user data.
In 2022 the website added the capability for users to report real-time leaf data, which updates the current year, and informs future models. The team said that after publishing their fall foliage map for almost a decade they are confident with the data sources, algorithm, and process. This is weather, so things are always subject to change.
The timing of the map update is crucial, just like a weather forecast for the weekend. The backbone of the map is meteorology—temperature, moisture, sunlight, and precipitation,” they shared. The forecast is much more useful when it is made ahead of time. “While the meteorology is at its most accurate just before an event occurs, it is also the most accurate in the immediate aftermath. We can make an accurate forecast by the end August using our unique combination of historical and future data. Each year, we have to recreate the map with fresh data because of the dramatic changes that occur. We want to make a map with useful information and that is also fun.
The map is easy to use. It’s as simple as that. click over to the map Use the slider to the left to view the changes from week to week across the nation. This will help you plan your trip according to the change of leaves. The color green indicates that the trees haven’t yet begun to change, and the brown color signifies that the leaves have passed their peak. Brighter colors indicate where the leaves are at their peak.
SmokyMountains.com
It’s not the only tool available to those interested in leaf peeping. The team also provides a scientific explanation of how leaves change so that families can enjoy the beautiful views together. The site also has a list of all the best places to see leaves in each state.
This season the team anticipates cooler, dryer weather in the Northeast. This may cause the leaves change color earlier than usual and result in more vibrant colors.
It stated that “forecasts indicate cooler-than average temperatures and below-normal rainfall in the Northeast, Appalachians and peak foliage should look vibrant and arrive early,” adding that northern New England and the Adirondacks as well as the Poconos can expect to reach peak colour as early as September or even early October.
While higher elevations of mountains, such as the Rockies and Smoky Mountains in the Smoky Mountain range, may reach their peak color “well more than a week before lower elevations within the same state,” The article continued, “This results in beautiful, layered yellow and orange spreads cascading through valleys throughout the season.”
The next region to see peak colors is the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes and Central U.S., which will arrive in mid-October.
The Pacific Northwest, the Intermountain West and the Pacific Northwest are the only areas that could be disappointed by the fall colors. These regions are predicted to be hotter and wetter than normal. Color changes may occur later in the season, reducing vibrancy. The site predicts that the Southeast will also be warmer and dryer than normal, leading to “delayed foliage.”
The site expects Tennessee to reach its peak between October 20 and 31. Vermont’s peak could be between September 29 and October 10, and Washington State could have its peak colors from Oct. 6 to Oct. 17. Upstate New York’s peak will occur between October 6 and 17, while Colorado’s leaves will change at the same time between Oct. 13 to Oct. 17.
Visit the website to see the complete map with all regional and state forecasts. SmokyMountains.com.
