Are Minnesota’s Vibrant Fall Colors Late This Year?

One of the best parts about fall in Minnesota is the show that Mother Nature's vibrant fall foliage puts on. But are those gorgeous fall colors late this year?

Aside from the pumpkin spice lattes, which Starbucks released on August 21st this year, the earliest date it was ever available in its 21-year history, not much else has seemed like fall so far this year here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Much of the Bold North hasn't really been feeling much like fall at all over the past two weeks, with many parts of the state experiencing high temperatures 10 to 12 degrees warmer than average for mid to late September.

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And according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) most recent Fall Color Finder, much of the Gopher State is only at between 0 to 10% and 10 to 25% range, with some areas in the northern part of the state reaching the 25 to 50% category.

That's quite a bit different than a year ago, however, when the DNR's Fall Color Finder for September 29th, 2023 showed much of the state in the 50 to 75% or 75 to 100% range when it come to peak fall colors.

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So while those fall colors appear to be taking their time this year compared to 2023, and our warm September weather might be why. The National Weather Service (NWS) La Crosse office said that autumn weather conditions favoring the most brilliant colors in Minnesota are warm sunny days and cool, but not freezing, nights.

The DNR said much the same thing noting:

“Brilliant fall color occurs when early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Brian Schwingle, a DNR forest health specialist.

Most parts of Minnesota haven't seen too many of those chilly fall nights the past 10 to 14 days, as overnight low temperatures have been mainly in the 50s. But it appears that could change later this week, as somewhat cooler, more seasonal weather is in the forecast, with overnight lows expected to drop into the 40s across many parts of the state.

The DNR also noted that it's normal for those peak color dates to vary by a week or so from year to year, but they typically peak in mid-to-late-September through mid-October, starting in the northwest and working toward the southeast corner of Minnesota. So, while they may be a little later than last year, the best fall colors are still yet to come!

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