Leaf-Peeping Season Affected by Drought
Drought has muted this year's leaf-peeping season in places like the Rockies, but pockets of brilliant colors remain.
Soaking in the fall foliage is an annual tradition in the New England states as well as areas such as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
By Patrick Whittle and Michael Casey | AP
Impact of Drought on Autumn Colors
Leaf-peeping season has arrived in the Northeast and beyond, but weeks of drought have muted this year's autumn colors, and sent leaves fluttering to the ground earlier than usual.
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, and they turn to the autumn tones of yellow, orange and red.
But dry weather in summer and fall can change all that because the lack of water causes leaves to brown and fall more quickly.
- More than 40% of the country was considered to be in a drought in early October, according to the U.S.
- This is more than twice the average, said Brad Rippey, a U.S.
Author's summary: Drought affects leaf-peeping season.
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