Cool, Wet Weather May Shorten Fall Foliage Season

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources says the fall foliage season may not be as colorful as usual.

DNR community and urban forester Carrie Tauscher says the recent cool, rainy and windy weather is likely to slow the color change and knock leaves from trees, which could result in a shorter viewing season.

Tauscher says many trees have already begun to turn color, while sugar maples will come into full color along with the oaks between now and early November.

She says best fall color formation happens when there are bright, warm days, cool nights and moist soils.

She says conditions have been different in southern Indiana. Tauscher says less rain earlier in the season has resulted in drier soils, accelerating and slightly diminishing the color change.