Fall foliage in Western Pa. may be less than splendid, forecaster says

First, the good news, especially if it gets windy: The season of raking/blowing/bagging leaves could start and end earlier than normal this year because of an extended dry spell that started in early August and lasted through Labor Day.

But the lack of rain, coupled with an early cold snap followed by a warmup, also will make for a muted palette for those who enjoy peeping at the tree landscape in the Pittsburgh region, an Accuweather meteorologist told TribLive.

“It could be a little bit less vibrant,” Paul Pastelok said. “Some of the trees could have been stressed going into fall.”

It means instead of brilliant reds, oranges and purples, expect more brown, tan and yellow, he said.

The cause of the stress was the lack of rain since early August. Add an earlier-than-normal cold spell followed by the warmer-than-normal weather since Labor Day and that could make for a duller landscape in some areas of Southwest Pennsylvania.

Expect peak colors by the end of September, which is earlier than normal. In years past, leaves were still on trees at Halloween, Pastelok said.

Further to the north and east, expect more vibrant leaves, Pastelok said.

“We expect vibrant colors across much of New England and the Midwest this autumn. Don’t wait too long to check out the leaves as they approach peak color,” he said. “The fall foliage may not last very long this year.”

Weather is but one factor that determines whether leaves look like something out of a vivid Bob Ross painting or the muted, less vibrant colors featured in Andrew Wyeth’s oeuvre.

This is the second year in a row the season has been less than splendid. Leaf peeping in autumn 2024 was hindered by a hot summer.

The U.S. Forest Service provides a guide to what shades to expect in the leaves of specific species of trees:

• Oaks — red, brown, or russet

• Hickories — golden bronze

• Aspen and yellow poplar — golden yellow

• Dogwood — purplish red

• Beech — light tan

• Sourwood and black tupelo — crimson

Maples offer a palette of their own, depending on the variety:

• Red maple — brilliant scarlet

• Sugar maple — orange-red

• Black maple — glowing yellow

• Striped maple — almost colorless

The best way to know when it’s peak time to peep at the leaves is to use your eyes, Pastelok said.

When the leaves appear to be in full color, there are plenty of places in the region to take in the views.

Here’s a 2023 TribLive story that offers options close to the city: “There are plenty of Western Pennsylvania options for the season’s splendor.”