Why Minnesota’s Fall Colors Could Arrive Earlier This Year

If you're already dreaming about those brilliant red, orange, and yellow Minnesota hillsides, you might want to start making plans sooner than you normally would. Unusually dry conditions across the state could do more than affect how colorful the leaves are; they could change when you get to see them.

The ongoing drought may have eased somewhat in southeast Minnesota over the past week, with the latest National Weather Service Drought Monitor rating conditions in most of Olmsted, Fillmore, Houston, and Wabasha counties as abnormally dry or in a moderate drought.

But in other parts of the state, that's not the case. In fact, NWS says that several areas of central and northern Minnesota are still experiencing either moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions right now. And that could have an impact on our annual fall colors.

How Drought Could Affect Minnesota's Fall Colors

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I was thinking that perhaps the dry weather would affect the brilliance of the leaves as they change colors, leaving them less colorful. But, as it turns out, while that may be the case, it could also mean that those familiar autumn colors are more likely to happen earlier this year.

When Will Fall Colors Peak in Minnesota?

This CBS Minnesota story featured an interview with Brian Schwingle, a forest health program consultant with the Minnesota DNR, who explained:

Severe drought can lessen the brilliance of some colors. It can also cause some trees to drop their leaves or change colors early — or later, depending on the species.

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The Minnesota DNR says those brilliant yellow, orange, and red colors typically don't start appearing on tree leaves in Minnesota until mid-September in the very northern part of the state, with much of the central part of the state seeing leaves start to change colors from mid-September through early October. Here in Rochester and southeast Minnesota, our peak colors usually occur in late September through mid-October.

Track Minnesota Fall Colors With the DNR Fall Color Finder

Of course, exactly when they change and hit their peak is always kind of a guessing game. But given how dry it's been this year, you'll want to plan your fall color tour earlier than usual this year. And you can keep track of when the leaves will be at their peak with the DNR's Fall Color Finder, which released its first report of the season earlier this week.

And keep scrolling to check out some way-cool road trips that will give you some amazing views here in Minnesota, no matter when the leaves change colors this year!