Fall colors are starting to change in parts of Minnesota

MINNESOTA (Valley News Live) – Fall colors are slowly starting to change in parts of the Valley.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has prepared a fall color map so you can track leaf development and see where and when colors are at their peak.

Yellow shaded areas are where leaves are 25-50% affected. Lighter green is 10-25%.

Minnesota DNR fall color map as of September 25, 2024.(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

You can also select future dates to see when leaves in your area might change. The DNR says the estimates are based on historical averages.

Click here to find fall programs at Minnesota State Parks, submit photos of fall colors, read the fall color forecast, or compare colors over the years.

MN DNR Fall Color Forecast

Dull or earthy fall colors can be caused by drought or leaf disease. A mild summer drought can enhance fall colors, but severe drought tends to dull them significantly, and lack of water causes leaves to turn straw-colored and die early. As of early June 2024, the entire state of Minnesota is drought-free.

The best fall colors tend to follow a growing season with average rainfall. Although our overly wet spring caused leaf diseases in some species, such as aspen and oaks, fortunately it did not cause much leaf loss. After Minnesota’s drought in 2023, this year’s wet growing season means trees have the potential to maximize fall color production.

The weather in September also has a big impact on the shades we’ll see. Leaves are more likely to show off their bright colors when the days are sunny and the nights are cool (32 to 45°F), with no big swings in temperature. A light frost can help, but a hard freeze or early snow can stop the show in its tracks.