National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

 

                                                                                                                          

As of September 22 at 10:49 a.m. EDT, the autumnal equinox will occur, which marks the beginning of the Fall season. The equinox marks the point when the sun is on the same plane as the Equator.  This can be bitter-sweet as this is a sign that much cooler weather is on the way; however, with the onset of Fall we also begin to see many of our trees display absolutely amazing foliage.  According to the Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids, there are many factors that can affect the timing and the brightness in the displays.  Temperature, precipitation amounts as well as frost and freeze dates are the main weather factors that contribute to these amazing fall colors.

Generally the colors begin to peak over interior western portions of Upper Michigan as well as northern areas of Minnesota during the late September and early October timeframe, while areas farther south generally peak by mid October.

More information can be found by clicking on the following links:

Michigan

Minnesota

Wisconsin                                                                                        

What Causes Color Change (Minnesota DNR)                                                                                   

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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