When and where Michiganians can see peak fall foliage
Jakkar AimeryFall is more than the season where nights stretch longer than days, according to experts — it is also about cider, pumpkin patches and, of course, the changing color of the leaves in the Mitten State.
Peak leaf color observations can best be seen along the eastern Upper Peninsula and the northern lower area of the region near the tip of the mitt, said Julie Crick, a natural resources educator for Michigan State University Extension. But as the temperatures drop, the transition will move south, she added.
"When the temperatures start to change, the chlorophyll that's in the leaves that makes them green has to dissipate a little more quickly, and that's what allows the fall colors to actually show on leaves," Crick told The Detroit News.
When high temperatures remained above 70 degrees going into early October, it helped delay the color turnover, she said.
"We've been in kind of a holding pattern of leaves changing slowly (because) we haven't really had cool nights yet," Crick said, which has offered residents more time to savor the colors of fall a bit longer.
More: Michigan state parks rank among top 'hidden gems' for fall foliage viewing in US
As the weather gets colder, Crick said, color changes will accelerate in the Great Lakes State, allowing residents to observe "bright, fiery reds" and "golden, bright yellows" on Red Maple, Sugar Maple and Aspen trees, respectively.
The hues of oak trees are usually about a week or two delayed beyond Maples and Aspens, and will turn "reddish, purplish, brownish colors," Crick noted.
The timing of color changes and the onset of falling leaves is primarily regulated by the calendar as nights become longer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Kyle Cotner, owner and publisher of The Foliage Report, said Friday he is forecasting the vast majority of the U.P. will be in past peak over the weekend. Northern parts of the Lower Peninsula near Gaylord, Traverse City and Cadillac will see moderate colors.
More: Q&A: Foliage expert Kyle Cotner on Michigan's fall color forecast
By Oct. 20, Cotner predicted places like Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, Flint, Metro Detroit along with the Thumb region will see moderate to high colors. He attributed the change to warmer temperatures and dry and "not crazy drought conditions," unlike states west of Lake Michigan.
"Kind of the rule of thumb on average, an area stays in the moderate or peak color (categories) for five to seven days in Michigan," Cotner said. "It's fantastic. It's an all-star compared to its Midwest neighbors."
jaimery@detroitnews.com