Here’s when colorful fall foliage should peak this year in the Belleville area
The leaves haven’t quite started to turn yet in southwest Illinois, but when can residents expect peak color this autumn?
The first official day of fall is Monday, Sept. 22, although peak seasonal foliage will take a while longer to develop.
Abnormally warm and dry weather can lead to delayed and less intense fall colors, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
“Cool nights and sunny days with lots of precipitation are really helpful for creating those vibrant fall colors,” Melissa Delia, meteorologist with the National Weather Service St. Louis office, said in a Sept. 10 interview with the News-Democrat.
The metro-east and greater St. Louis region has seen “very dry” conditions recently, Delia said. Swaths of southern Illinois are experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
When trees suffer from abnormally dry conditions, their leaves can dry up and fall off early, Delia said. These leaves are often green or shriveled and brown, but skip the colorful fall foliage stage.
There’s a chance the Belleville area could see some relief soon, though. The National Weather Service forecasts Belleville has a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms Sunday and Monday.
The agency reports the metro-east has a 40% to 50% chance of seeing above-normal temperatures from September to November, while the Farmers’ Almanac predicts a colder season. In addition, daylight is quickly dwindling as we approach the end of daylight saving time Sunday, Nov. 2. By early November, the sun will set before 5 p.m. in Belleville.
Here’s what to know about fall foliage timing this year in Belleville and across the metro-east.
When will the leaves change color around Belleville?
As the weather cools down and days become shorter in the fall, trees stop producing chlorophyll, which is the green pigment present in various shades on leaves during the spring and summer. This causes the leaves to change color.
Depending on who you ask, fall color could peak in the metro-east anytime between mid-October to early November.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ fall colors trip planner estimates colorful fall foliage will peak in southwestern Illinois in the last week of October.
The Farmers’ Almanac predicts fall color will peak in southern Illinois between Oct. 12 and Oct. 28.
The Smoky Mountains fall foliage prediction map, which uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shows the metro-east will see minimal color by Oct. 6 and patchy color by Oct. 13, with foliage peaking Nov. 3.
The IDNR fall color report recommends driving from Alton to Grafton along the Great River Road during peak season to enjoy fall foliage views.
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