H. Rose Schneider reports for Times Union that a warm, wet summer may lead to bright fall leaves this year, but the color changes may be delayed. All the recent rain may impact the fall foliage the most. “That’s one ingredient that could help us have a colorful fall,” said Paul Roundy, a professor of atmospheric and environmental science at the University at Albany. Dan Gaidasz, senior forester at the Department of Environmental Conservation explains that trees produce anthocyanin pigments that turn leaves different colors best with moist soil and a combination of warm and sunny days, and cool nights. He said, “This summer’s weather is setting up for a potentially good fall color season across the state.” The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says this fall’s temperatures are around 50 percent more likely to be above normal. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Sep. 14, 2023 Updated: Sep. 14, 2023 3:38 p.m. 6 A maple tree’s leaves are starting to turn red in Green Island on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Fall foliage changes have been delayed by warm temperatures in the Capital Region. 1 of 6 A maple tree’s leaves are starting to turn red in Green Island on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Fall foliage changes have been delayed by warm temperatures in the Capital Region. Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union After a hot and wet summer, upstate New York trees could be gearing up for a sea of reds, oranges and golds this fall. A warmer-than-normal season could delay leaves changing, but heavy rainfall this summer could brighten their colors, experts say. “That’s one ingredient that could help us have a colorful fall,” said Paul Roundy, a professor of atmospheric and environmental science at the University at Albany. A combination of warm and sunny days, cool (but not freezing) nights and moist soil allows trees to produce sugar, and in turn, produce anthocyanin pigments — a type of pigment found in everything from berries to root vegetables that give autumn leaves their red color — explained Dan Gaidasz, senior forester at the Department of Environmental Conservation. “This summer’s weather is setting up for a potentially good fall color season across the state,” Gaidasz said in a statement. More for you Where fall colors are changing near you The Northeast stands out this season as drought-stricken regions in other parts of the county could see premature leaf drop and muted colors, according to the website Explore Fall. But the region’s weather could impact when leaves change upstate. This fall’s temperatures are around 50 percent more likely to be above normal, according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. “There’s a bit of uncertainty because it depends on how the weather evolves through the fall,” Roundy said. { "__type": "blueConicFreeformEmbed", "__id": "NewsletterSignup", "__data": { "variant": "dailyHeadlines:articleParagraph" } } { "__type": "blueConicFreeformEmbed", "__id": "NewsletterSignup", "__data": { "variant": "dailyHeadlines:articleBottom" } } { "__type": "blueConicFreeformEmbed", "__id": "NewsletterSignup", "__data": { "variant": "greenstate:articleParagraph" } } { "__type": "blueConicFreeformEmbed", "__id": "NewsletterSignup", "__data": { "variant": "greenstate:articleBottom" } } Warmer and wetter can delay changes, though colorful leaves have already been spotted. The season typically peaks upstate in mid-October, and early October at higher elevations like the Adirondacks. A close up of Nipper on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Albany, NY. HERE ARE YOUR PICKS FOR THE BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION 2023 We tallied the votes from this year’s Best of the Capital Region contest in 100 categories. Promoted Links Excitement and adventure await. American Airlines Try YouTube TV YouTube TV 2Modern Modern Furniture & Lighting 2 MODERN image logo taboola News Cold front could mean powerful thunderstorms upstate Mike Goodwin TIMES UNION Get all the best college football analysis on The Joel Klatt Show podcast Fox Sports Meet Bombas: The Only Socks You'll Want to Work Out in Bombas The Prices On The New Tucson Hybrid Might Surprise You 2024 Tucson Hybrid 72 Hours Only - Save up to 50% Vitamix by Taboola Photo of H. Rose Schneider Written By H. Rose Schneider Reach H. Rose on H. Rose Schneider is a reporter with the rapid response team at the Times Union in Albany, N.Y. They got their start covering New Scotland and later the Hilltowns at the Altamont Enterprise in 2016, before covering public safety and other topics at the Utica Observer-Dispatch from 2019 through 2022. Reach Rose at Rose.Schneider@TimesUnion.com. Excitement and adventure await. With options to more destinations, your bucket list trip is a flight away. American Airlines | Sponsored 72 Hours Only - Save up to 50% Start Blending Sooner With Flexible Payment Plans Vitamix | Sponsored Top Nutritionist: 1 Vitamin You Need After 50 For "Crepey" Skin Dr. Kellyann | Sponsored Meet Bombas: The Only Socks You'll Want to Work Out in Bombas | Sponsored YouTube TV Official Site 100+ channels for your entire household to choose from! 6 accounts included. Learn more. YouTube TV | Sponsored Here's How Much Gutter Guards Should Cost You In 2023 Try this instead of gutter cleaning LeafFilter | Sponsored Times Union Homepage - Site Logo RETURN TO TOP ABOUT Our Company General Standards and Practices Newspaper Delivery Safety Procedures Advertising Interest Based Ads Terms of Use Privacy Notice Your California Privacy Rights Jobs at the Times Union CONTACT Contact Us Weather School Closings Events Calendar Celebrations Obituaries Online Store Puzzles Palace Our Use of AI Ethics Policy SERVICES Subscriber Services Subscribe Become a Carrier e-Edition Corporate Subscriptions Mobile App Copyright and Reprint Archives HEARST newspapers logo©2023 The Hearst Corporation