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Fall Foliage Report: November 16
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – George Burns
A few remaining orange and russet leaves hold on tightly during fall’s final days at the King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park. Photo by Administrative Specialist David Gigliotti.
Fall foliage in Maryland this year was unpredictable yet still delighted with breathtaking fall color, even if it was short-lived in some areas of the state. We began the season discussing possible leaf outcomes from this summer’s drought, and Marylanders in some regions certainly saw their share of premature leaf drop and subdued fall hues. The pace of leaf changes picked up markedly toward season’s end, with some of our Western Maryland foresters seeing changes in as little as 48 hours. As fall foliage draws to a close, our state foresters and park rangers – many of whom were first-time contributors to this report – summarize the season from their unique viewpoint in each region and show current foliage conditions across the state. For those of us who love (or hate) the winter, we’re including our predictions for the coldest months of the year as well. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report, November 9, 2023
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant
Bold shades of red and copper are perfectly framed between blue skies and tranquil waters in Montgomery County. Photo by Tim Mohr.
Fall foliage season is coming to a close in Maryland and we’ve had plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies to take in some amazing views across the state. Leaf drop is significant, and our forest floors and park trails are providing colorful pathways to views otherwise unseen during the warmer months. We begin this week’s report from the south and east where visitors can still catch autumn’s best and final curtain call. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report November 2, 2023
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen, from the novel “First Frost”
Photo by Vincent C., Prince George’s County.
Blink and you might miss it. Peak fall color that is. Some reports out of western Maryland this week describe past peak conditions, and foresters and park rangers in other regions of the state also report rapid changes, with tree canopies transforming from mostly green to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red often in as little as 48 hours. A strong cold front at the beginning of the week brought a sweeping wind into the forests and mountain ranges, resulting in a colorful forest floor and a lot of nearly bare trees. Time is of the essence for those wanting to capture autumn’s glory before it’s gone. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report October 26, 2023
“I wish that every day was Saturday and every month was October.”
– Charmaine J. Forde
The treetops of Sword Mountain awaken as the sun rises in Clear Spring. Photo by Forester Aaron Cook.
With colors intensifying across the state this week, parts of Maryland are right on the cusp of peak leaf change. The mountains of western Maryland are seeing bold shades of amber, crimson and gold, while other regions of our state are reporting marked increases in autumnal hues, spreading further along the tree canopies in central, northern, and southern Maryland. This weekend’s weather promises to bring warmer than average temperatures to the region, and we’re embracing the shift – and the burst in fall color – by including some of our best locations to enjoy a walk in the woods at one of our state parks and forests.
Join us as we follow Maryland’s changing autumn landscape each week – subscribe to the Fall Foliage Report email newsletter to have it arrive in your inbox!
DNR Fall Foliage Report – October 19, 2023
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable … the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street … by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” —Hal Borland
A Department of Natural Resources drone captured this patchwork of autumnal beauty over the Burkholder off-road vehicle trail area of Potomac-Garrett State Forest. Photo courtesy of Melissa Nash, forester.
Peak leaf change is right around the corner in the western half of the state, evident in the russet leaves of the oaks, bronze and yellow hickory canopies, and the dazzling ruby red maples. The weather conditions remain ideal during the weekdays when Marylander’s are experiencing crystal blue, sunlit skies during the day, winding down with star-filled skies and chilly temperatures at night. Weekend weather systems have been a regular feature, bringing us wind and rain across much of the region, resulting in premature leaf loss in some areas of our state. However, there is plenty of fall color to be found if you know where to look. And this week, Western Maryland steals the show. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report – October 12, 2023
“If I were a bird, I would fly about the Earth seeking successive autumns.”
– George Eliot
We’re feeling a drop in temperatures across the state, with parts of Western Maryland dipping into the low 30s. Cooler temperatures and sunny days bode well for leaf change. According to the U.S. Forest Service, trees are continuing to produce sugars in their leaves, but the cool nights and the gradual closing of veins in leaves prevent these sugars from moving out. These conditions – lots of sugar and light – spur production of the brilliant anthocyanin pigments, which tint leaves with a variety of reds, purples, and crimson. However, optimal fall weather conditions cannot entirely undo the effects of this year’s summer drought, which is amounting to delays in leaf change and subdued color in the forest canopies. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fall Foliage Report – October 5, 2023
“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.”
Alexander Smith
Fall days are here – blue skies, clouds like giant marshmallows, and gobs of sunshine. The only thing missing is the cooler daytime temperatures characteristic of fall weather. Crisp autumn air causes leaves to stop making food or stop the process of photosynthesis, which turns the leaves green during warmer months. When the temperature drops, chlorophyll breaks down and the green color begins to disappear, revealing yellows, oranges and in some tree species, purple tones. Although daytime temperatures across the state have been in the 80s this week, nighttime temperatures are dipping into the low 50s and 60s, giving us the cooler conditions necessary for leaf change. Next week, temperatures drop across Maryland, setting the stage for fall’s colorful show. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report September 28, 2023
“I cannot endure to waste something as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
Most of us are rejoicing after seeing the sun for the first time in days. Tropical Storm Ophelia brought drenching rain to Maryland’s coastal region last weekend, with additional rain stretching into the western portion of our state. The rainy days and cloudy skies continued for much of the week, providing much needed moisture to areas experiencing drought conditions. While this last batch of rain won’t be enough to offset the previous weeks of dry weather, it has made an impact on foliage in the region. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report – September 21, 2023 – Autumn Colors Beginning to Pop
“When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and, like a dream, glides away.”
– Sarah Helen Whitman
Photo of Sideling Hill State Park, by Ranger Kendra Bree.
Most of Maryland’s tree canopies are still vibrant green, but there are pops of color to be found, even in southern Maryland, one of the last regions to reveal fall color change. The western portion of our state remains very dry with drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to moderate, but a system off the coastline promises to bring gusty winds and downpours over the weekend.
Will this much needed rain benefit fall leaf change? According to Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forester Aaron Cook, this system “could help offset drought conditions but will likely not reverse the course on drought stress impacts to fall color from an entire growing season of drought conditions.” Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Forecast 2023
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings and autumnal tree canopies. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again will present its weekly Fall Foliage Report, posted online and sent by email bulletin to subscribers.
What can we expect from fall foliage this year and when can leaf peepers catch a glimpse of fall’s best colors? Read more…
Fall Foliage Report – November 17, 2022
Western Maryland the week of October 13 – Photo by Melissa Nash
Fall Foliage Report – November 10, 2022
The close of autumn is upon us in Maryland. The western and northern regions of our state are covered with fallen leaves, crackly forest floors, and bare trees indicating fall’s passing. However, there are still fall destinations and foliage worth a visit in other areas of Maryland, revealing some of fall’s last glory for us to savor.
Fall Foliage Report – November 4, 2022
The red in our Fall Foliage map is inching its way across Maryland, picking up six additional counties and Baltimore City, all reporting peak conditions as we enter November. Perhaps most surprising this week are reports of peak conditions out of St. Mary’s County. Yes, far Southern Maryland has arrived early to the fall show, thrilling visitors with vibrant shades of burgundy and gold. Even the pawpaw trees are an especially bright mustard yellow this year.
Fall Foliage Report – October 27, 2022
The majority of our state is resplendent in fall color right now, with most of Maryland’s counties experiencing peak or near-peak conditions. Our resident photographers are capturing the moment, producing these gorgeous shots from Rocky Gap and Greenbrier State Parks and Thurmont, Maryland.
Fall Foliage Report – October 20, 2022
Maryland has been called “America in Miniature” – you can find just about any kind of natural feature here, except a desert. This has extended to the weather in recent days, with snow falling in Western Maryland and sunny, 70 degree days and blue skies on the Eastern Shore. The snowfall caused the loss of a lot of leaves, leaving areas in western and northern Garrett County past peak conditions. In other areas of the state we’re seeing color changes in a pattern consistent with past years, just with the fall colors turned up a welcome notch.
Fall Foliage Report – October 13, 2022
This fall season is shaping up to be a memorable one, and if you’re lucky enough to live in or visit Western Maryland right now, you’ll soon know why. The fall foliage show is on in mountainous Western Maryland with a full spectrum of fall colors on display. This week we have an extended report from our park staff and foresters out west to help you figure out what’s happening where and plan your visits accordingly.
Fall Foliage Report – October 6, 2022
“The sun after the rain is much more beautiful than the sun before the rain.”
–Bill Watterson
Last week we mentioned one of the biggest impacts on fall foliage – weather. Ian brought a lot of wind and rain to our region, resulting in a wet forest floor and cooler temperatures, and thankfully not a lot of leaf drop due to the early fall timing of the storm. And while the trails in our parks may be muddy, folks, weekends like this are made for the fall.
Fall Foliage Report – September 29, 2022
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”
-Delia Owens
The maples and black gums continue to lead the fall transition, however most of Maryland is still seeing little change. Three factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, weather, and most importantly, length of night. The timing of color changes is primarily regulated by the calendar, and as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaves begin to reveal autumn’s palette of colors across Maryland’s landscape.
Fall Foliage Report September 22, 2022
“It was a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue, you could drown in it.”
– Diana Gabaldon
Cooler temps bring crisp mornings and the hope of finding signs of fall in the treetops. Keep checking back each Thursday for the latest information. Read more…
Fall Foliage Preview for 2022
Overview
Welcome to the fall foliage report for 2022. Fall officially begins on Thursday, September 22 at 9:04 p.m. and the outlook for this year is positive. It’s hard to predict what kind of season Maryland will have, but there are a few factors that affect fall foliage, helping us to develop a science-based forecast. In western Maryland we’re already seeing the falling black gum leaves decorating the dark forest floor with pops of pink. There are similar reports from Southern Maryland, where the yellow poplars are also joining in, as summer waves its last goodbye.
Black Gum leaves – Photo: Melissa Carson, Maryland Park Service
Fall Foliage Report – November 24, 2021
The meteorological fall season comes to a close on December 1, and we are beginning to experience consistently cooler temperatures and brisk winds across Maryland. Fall foliage enthusiasts who bundle up and head east will be rewarded with leaves of crimson, amber, and gold adorning the Eastern Shore’s beautiful waterfront landscapes. A few pops of color remain in the central part of our state, and our citizen reporters spotted gorgeous burgundy-red leaves in Frederick and mellower tones of yellow and orange at Seneca Creek State Park. We’d like to thank all of the Marylanders that submitted photos capturing the fall season this year. We were thrilled with the response, and your photos helped us with our foliage forecasting.
Fall Foliage Report – November 18, 2021
GO EAST! Western portions of the state have passed peak conditions and even had a little snow. Although there are still patches of fall scenery in the central part of the state, the fall color has shifted east of I-95 in Maryland. Based on our reports, the last of fall’s glory can be seen in bright reds, oranges, and yellows; even driving around the neighborhood can provide some beautiful views. On Maryland’s Eastern Shore there are also plenty of conifers, and the pops of green mixed in with traditional fall colors make for great scenic landscapes in vast open spaces.
Fall Foliage Report – November 11, 2021
The corn mazes are wrapping up, farmers markets are shifting to their winter offerings, and the trees across Maryland are preparing for their winter break. But there are still opportunities to see fall color, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. A good way to enjoy the remaining fall days is with a drive along one of Maryland’s Scenic byways. At this point, the Roots and Tides, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad, Chesapeake Country, Religious Freedom, and John Wilkes Booth trails are your best bets for capturing fall’s final curtain call. Colors are still muted compared to previous years but there are plenty of beautiful spots that make it worth the trip.
Fall Foliage Report – November 4, 2021
The fall foliage this year has been a moving target, and we find ourselves entering November with some lackluster conditions. We are generally seeing a pattern from western Garrett County in the past peak stage to lots of green with pockets of color in far eastern Maryland. With the recent wind and rain, we’re seeing an end to prime foliage colors in most of the state mainly because of leaf drop. Generally speaking, fall foliage seekers should go far north where there has been more change and your best bet will be along the Blue Ridge mountain range (Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties). It’s still a great time to enjoy the cooler weather outside as the leaves fall! We had lots of photo submissions this week from citizen forest watchers across our state so look to see what’s happening on the ground through their lenses.
Fall Foliage Report for October 28, 2021
Overview
Halloween week is here and this year’s fall foliage has been full of tricks and treats. We’re seeing a wide range of conditions based on location, elevation, and tree types. The wild weather has been throwing things off kilter too, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. Regardless, with the uptick in wind and rain, it looks like things will be wrapping up within a few weeks. As in past weeks, you’ll find varying conditions within individual regions. A thirty-minute drive in one direction or another can make a difference.
Fall Foliage Report for October 21, 2021
It’s mid-October here in Maryland and we have something to offer every fall foliage enthusiast. Crossing our state from west to east, you will experience it all — glorious autumn jewel tones decorating the skyline in the west —breathtaking sunrises and local critters basking in the last warm days of fall in the east. We cover it all this week, and we’ve received some of the best photos yet from our park managers, forestry staff, and loyal readers to beautifully illustrate this magical time of year.
Fall Foliage Report for October 14, 2021
Here we are, mid-October, and reports indicate that the leaves are dropping quickly. With wet conditions the past few days and some wind in the forecast for the weekend we may see significant leaf loss through the next week. Fall seems to have taken hold across the state with the west near or at peak foliage and areas east slowly following suit. Most of the Eastern Shore has yet to substantially change, but we see signs that will change soon.
Fall Foliage Report for October 7, 2021
Here we go folks, we’re seeing more color out west and the rest of the state is being blanketed in subtle yellows and reds. In the far western portions of the state our reports are indicating we’re at the mid-point, especially in the higher elevations. Through central and southern Maryland, we have a mixed bag mainly because summer weather has been slow to depart. The eastern portion of the state is still mainly green with a few hints of fall color; this landscape remains perfect for pollinators, spending autumnal hours collecting nectar and pollen.
Fall Foliage Report – September 30, 2021
Cooler evenings and crisp mornings bring a change in the air, and the leaves are responding. Thanks to submissions from our readers, it looks like fall colors have finally spread across Maryland. Keep checking back each Thursday for the latest information.
Fall Foliage Report – September 23, 2021
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fall is officially here and the trees are starting their transformation across the state. The western parts of Maryland will see the first true signs of color beginning this week, although things are off to a slow start. With the recent rain fall color should ramp up soon and the show will begin.
Read more…
Fall Foliage Report – September 16, 2021
“Autumn comes with regal ease, content to arrive with slow grace. Though the first leaves have tumbled to the soil so rich with rain, most remain green, fluttering in the strengthening wind. And so, though I’m wishing for that garland of reds and golds, I must be as patient as she.”
– Angela Caroline Abraham, Descriptionari.com
Fall has not yet begun in Maryland and many trees across the state are still a bit bashful about revealing their fall finest before the season officially kicks off September 22.
However in Western Maryland, pockets of trees are slowly starting to greet us with hints of brilliant color. Traditionally this is the region where leaf color changes are seen first, with the foliage in Garrett and Allegany counties beginning to turn in late September and peaking toward the middle of October. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report Template DRAFT
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”
-Delia Owens
The maples and black gums continue to lead the fall transition, however most of Maryland is still seeing little change. Three factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, weather, and most importantly, length of night. The timing of color changes is primarily regulated by the calendar, and as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaves begin to reveal autumn’s palette of colors across Maryland’s landscape.
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: November 12, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for November 12, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Fall colors have finally reached their peak in Southern Maryland and the lower Eastern Shore. Plan a drive or hike to get out and see the foliage this weekend! Read more…
Fall Foliage Report: November 5, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for November 5, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although recent wind and rain have sent much of Maryland past peak foliage, the southern part of the state is looking very colorful. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: October 29, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. We are looking forward to a full moon Hallo-weekend with peaking foliage in parts of central Maryland! Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: October 22, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This season continues to bring on the best fall color Maryland has seen in years, as Washington and Frederick counties reach peak foliage. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: October 15, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: October 8, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 8, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The western corner of Maryland is seeing peak foliage setting in, headlined by the vivid yellows, reds, and oranges of maple leaves. Elsewhere, Maryland forests are exhibiting scattered spots of color, with the real fall showing yet to come! Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: October 1, 2020
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for October 1, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report: September 24, 2020
Maple tree in Deep Creek Lake State Park, photo by Roy Musselwhite
It is now officially fall with a chill in the air and the welcomed return of the Canada geese. The most obvious indicator of autumn’s arrival, the changing of the foliage, is still a few weeks away for most of the state. However, in Western Maryland, pockets here and there are starting to show splotches of brilliant color. Traditionally it’s the region where leaf color changes are seen first, with the foliage in Garrett and Allegany counties beginning to turn beginning in late September and peaking toward the middle of October. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Report Preview: September 18, 2020
Welcome to the 2020 Maryland Fall Foliage Report, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although we will mention a festival or event occasionally, that will not be a major focus this year due to numerous cancellations of many seasonal events. However, the men and women working for Maryland’s Park Service and Forest Service will provide eyewitness accounts, as well as photographs, as the fall season unfolds. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Nov. 16-17, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for November 16 and 17 brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Nov. 9-10, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for November 9 and 10 brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Nov. 2-3, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for November 2 and 3, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report – Oct. 26-27, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Oct. 26 and 27, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report – Oct. 19-20, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Oct. 19 and 20, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report – Oct. 12-13, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Oct. 12 and 13, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report Oct. 5-6, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Oct. 5 and 6, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
True fall weather is on the way! Garrett County is anticipating nighttime temperatures dipping into the 3os this weekend, reports Melissa Nash, forester and project manager. With the change in temperature comes the beginning of peak season in parts of Maryland.
“Cool nights and sunny days typically bring out the best color,“ Nash explains. “Some areas of Garrett County, especially around Meadow Mountain (near the Eastern Continental Divide), are expected to peak within the next couple of days.” She reports vibrant yellows to oranges and reds on maple, and yellow color on birch and hickory as most notable. Oaks should begin to change soon with white oak producing deep reds to purplish tones and red oaks golden brown.
Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report – Sept. 28-29, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Sept. 28 and 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
“As we officially welcome fall this week, the cool nights and sunny days are making for a beautiful start to a colorful display in Garrett County,” reports Melissa Nash, Garrett County forest project manager. “Some areas, especially the ridge tops, are reaching the mid-point this week. Peak should be expected in 1-2 weeks for most of the county.” Read more…
Fall Foliage and Festival Report – Sept. 21-22, 2019
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the last weekend of summer, Sept. 21 and 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Having melted down almost daily through a typically hot and humid — and exceptionally wet — Maryland summer, you just might be looking forward to the official astronomical start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere: the autumnal, or fall, equinox (also called the September equinox). Early Monday morning — 3:50 a.m. in Annapolis — the sun will rise precisely due east and later will set precisely due west with the length of day and night almost equal. This is also the best time to view Mars as the planet will be at its brightest. Join the Westminster Astronomy Club at Cunningham Falls State Park Saturday night to see the stars!
Sign up to receive weekly reports showcasing the Old Line State’s vibrant fall foliage and the best autumn festivals at dnr.maryland.gov.
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