Climate Matters: Warmer and drier climate dulls fall foliage

Climate Matters: Warmer and drier climate dulls fall foliage

Fall colors are behind schedule this year and may not be as brilliant as in the past, thanks to a warming and changing climate. This year was a good example of how different fall looks and feels as summer heat stretches longer and the fall cooldown hits more abruptly later in the season. Temperatures have been much warmer than normal in recent months, over 2 degrees above average for September. Rainfall has also been much lower than normal; it w…