Minnesota fall foliage forecast: 2024 guide to peak leaf-peeping
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Leaf peepers, take note: Peak fall foliage in Minnesota could hit later in the season again this year.
Why it matters: The brilliant colors on display as leaves turn are among nature's great gifts to us all.
The big picture: Peak color varies by year, but it typically hits the northern half of the state in late September or early October, with leaves turning here in the Twin Cities slightly later.
What to expect: A trend toward warming falls has pushed the peak later in the two-week window over the last five years, Brian Schwingle, an expert with the Minnesota Department of National Resources, told reporters.
- Though Schwingle says it's "too early to say" whether we're in for an early, late or average fall color season, the National Weather Service's long-term forecast shows above normal temperatures for the next month.
Case in point: Travel brand SmokyMountains.com's much-viewed fall leaf map predicts that early October will be prime time for most of the state.
The catch: Leaves turning later can mean a shorter season — and less time to enjoy the colors.
Flashback: Drought conditions made the fall colors especially brilliant in recent years.
- The soaking Minnesota got this summer, which experts say is a net positive for forest health, has created the "perfect condition for for fungal leaf diseases" that can cause aspens in particular to brown and lose their leaves, Schwingle noted.
- Beyond that, the rain shouldn't have a big impact on the foliage season, he said.
The bottom line: Dwindling daylight is the biggest factor in the timing, but peak foliage is brightest — and can last the longest — when we have cool, crisp September days without too many overnight frosts.
Go deeper: DNR's Fall Color Finder features both an update on conditions and a new peak foliage prediction map, based on past seasons.