MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesotans love autumn, and this should be a banner year for fall colors as the wave of scarlet reds, earthy oranges and zesty yellows marches across the state.
The season’s first cool front, which dropped highs into the 60s and lows into the 50s in the Twin Cities metro and 40s up north over the weekend, could jump-start nature’s show.
“Colors should be vibrant” this fall, said AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill, who added that Minnesota may have some of the best fall color viewing in the nation this year. “Minnesota is in the sweet spot.”
Fires, droughts, punishing heat and drenching rains will mute colors elsewhere in the nation, Merrill said. But copious sun-drenched days combined with just enough summer moisture have set the stage for a brilliant display here.
Of course, not every tree weathered the summer well. The 12th warmest summer on record and areas of drought across the state stressed trees in an area stretching from St. Cloud to Hinckley and just southeast of the Twin Cities, where colors may be duller than usual and leaves may drop earlier than normal, Merill said.
Fires that ravaged northeastern Minnesota over the summer may keep the colors muted there, and leaves may look brown due to damage, said Lauren Peck, a spokesperson with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ parks and trails division.
Trees in southwestern and southeastern Minnesota “are the happiest in the state,” she added. But “colors should be nice regardless of where you go.”
Minnesota has 43 species of deciduous trees that change color. Cool nights and lots of daytime sun signal to the trees that “I should stop producing leaves and drop these,” Peck said.
An early frost, freeze or snow can speed that up. A prolonged warm period can delay the process. Last year was one of the latest for peak color in the metro, which occurred in late October, said Pete Boulay with the state’s climatology office.
Peak is defined by what DNR park observers believe “is the best we think it is going to get,” Peck said. “It’s not an exact science. Peak is the day you are there. Any time you come and leaves are not on the ground, it’s a great day to enjoy fall.”
A half century ago, peak color in the metro occurred in late September. Now, mid-October is common as summer warmth lingers.
“It’s getting later,” Boulay said.
The long-range forecast calls for favorable weather, with no snow expected in northern Minnesota until late October and late November in the metro, possibly extending this year’s foliage, Merrill said.
To help leaf peepers plan their visit, the DNR has rolled out its online Fall Color Finder, which has become a fan favorite. The map, which racks up roughly 600,000 views annually, includes the status of leaves, grasses and flowers from nearly every state park and recreation area.
The website started 15 years ago to help increase state park attendance after Labor Day, Peck said. To go with it, more than 100,000 people now subscribe to a weekly fall color newsletter.
“Now the parks are getting loved to death during the fall season,” Peck said.
With winters long in Minnesota, Peck said Minnesotans love the fall, largely because “it’s gorgeous.”