Fall Foliage 2019 Update: When Leaves Will Change In Virginia

VIRGINIA — While above average temperatures delayed fall foliage colors in September, Virginians are beginning to see some changing colors. There's no set time for peak fall foliage viewing, but experts have updated maps predicting when the trees will be at their most spectacular in October.

The Virginia Department of Forestry says in its Oct. 7 report that green colors remain dominant, although a transition to yellow has begun. Yellow pigments will appear as "shorter days trigger a slowdown in chlorophyll production," the report stated. Cooler nights will boost the presence of red pigments.

Peak fall foliage season starts in western Virginia and advances eastward. According to the Department of Forestry, parts of southwest Virginia and the Alleghenies have seen up to a quarter of trees with leaves that have changed. The peak fall foliage period typically occurs from Oct. 10 to 20 for western Virginia, Oct. 25 to 25 in central and Northern Virginia, and Oct. 20 to 31 in eastern Virginia.

SEE ALSO: Fall Festivals To Check Out Around Northern Virginia In 2019

The Fall Foliage Prediction Map on the Smoky Mountain National Park website has its own projections calling for peak season in the later part of October. As the Oct. 5 weekend starts, Northern Virginia should see "patchy" fall foliage. Leaves will be near the peak by Oct. 19, and peak colors will be visible on Oct. 26.

The Weather Channel's fall foliage map shows other parts of the U.S. in later fall foliage stages. Areas of New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Minnesota and Utah are in the peak fall foliage period on Oct. 4.

Here are the colors on different trees you can look for:

• Ash: yellow, maroon
• Beech: yellow to orange
• Dogwood: scarlet to purple
• Hickory: golden bronze
• Oak: red, brown or russet
• Poplar: golden yellow
• Red maple: brilliant scarlet

The Virginia Department of Forestry's recommended fall foliage driving tours designed by local foresters include:

• Charlottesville area: Greene County tour directions
• Harrisonburg area: Rockingham County tour directions | Shenandoah County tour directions
• Lexington area: Bath County tour directions
• Front Royal area: Warren County tour directions
• Roanoke area: Bedford County tour directions | Craig County tour directions | Franklin County tour directions
• Staunton area: Highland County tour directions