How Long Does Fall Foliage Last?

[KellyCass]

Once you get the hard frost that everyone is saying to kick start the color change, how long does a season usually last from say "moderate" color to "past peak"? And do you usually have to have two or three days in a row of cold nights to kick the season off? What I have seen of the weather, there may be one night that is in the upper 30s and a day in the upper 50s, then the weather changes to several days in the upper 40s at night and upper 60s to mid 70s during the day. Does it have to stay in the colder weather for the leaves to reach "peak"?

[Axel in JP]

I would estimate that to get from the point where it's "early, but good" to the point where it's "late, but still good" probably takes about two weeks. Or two weeks and a few days.

And to answer your question with another question for the experts, if the weather stays warm will color change be delayed indefinitely, or is there a point after which it's inevitable? I mean, if the first two weeks of October are as warm as it has been, could Stowe see peak around Halloween or is that totally impossible?

[ixl]

The color changes are impacted by a variety of factors. They will only be delayed by so much in my experience.

For example, here in the south we have not had a hard freeze but the trees in the upper elevations are at about 30% color already and I expect them to peak in a week even with the warmth we are expected to have.

c

[pwt54]

While temperatures are a big factor, the length of daylight is the main factor according to the experts.