- Utah's fall colors are starting to show early due to cooler overnight temperatures.
- Predictions suggest foliage will intensify along the Wasatch Mountains next month before other regions in October and November.
- Drier conditions may result in less vibrant colors compared to previous years.
SALT LAKE CITY — The signs of the changing seasons are already on display in Utah.
Pumpkin spice items have returned to local grocery stores and coffee shops, the football season has already kicked off and astute leaf peepers have noticed that some fall colors are already here.
Yes, some patchy colors have been reported in parts of Alpine Loop, Parley's Canyon and Provo Canyon — a bit earlier than the last few years. This is likely because there have been cooler overnight temperatures over the last few weeks, creating the conditions that trigger fall foliage to begin, says Katie Wagner, a horticulturist for Utah State University Extension.
This initiates a process within plants, where it begins to slow down photosynthesis, reducing the chlorophyll created in the process that gives leaves their green hue. That's when a tree's "true colors" emerge before leaves drop off.
"Really, what triggers that — for the most part — is the shortened days and the longer nights," she said.
When will the rest of the colors arrive?
The rest of the show has yet to come, and there really isn't an exact science to predict it. Yet, a handful of websites use various metrics to make predictions.
SmokyMountains.com, which uses a blend of long-range forecasts, past trends, weather data and user-submitted observations, is one of the more popular sources. It is projected that minimal foliage will appear along the Wasatch Mountains in early September, increasing in intensity before peaking by late September and early October.
Foliage is expected to increase across central and northern Utah by that point, before those regions could peak by mid- to late-October. Southern Utah may peak by late October or early November.
Explore Fall forecasts something similar but breaks out elevations better. Of course, leaves typically peak earlier in high-elevation areas across the state, and the Wasatch, central, and southern mountains could begin to peak in late September, reaching their peak by early to mid-October, according to its outlook.
It also believes that some color may remain along the Wasatch Front into late October and possibly early November, while parts of southern Utah could still retain some color later into November.
Why this year could look different
However, this year's colors may not be quite as striking as the past few years, Wagner warns. That's because this year has been drier from winter to now when compared to the past two falls.
Mountain sites have collected 22.4 inches of precipitation on average this water year, which is 84% of the median average for this point in the year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It's also 79% of last year's total in late August, and 60% of 2023's total.
Of course, some regions had a better winter, and others had a better spring, and this summer has been generally miserable statewide. It's left 80% of Utah in severe or extreme drought, while the rest remains in moderate drought. That's compared to just 5% in moderate drought this time last year.
It has also led to more marginal leaf burn, or "leaf scorch," which is when hot and dry conditions result in browning and death of the leaf tissue, especially along the edges of leaves. Leaves that suffer from leaf scorch struggle to hydrate throughout the full blade, Wagner explains.
That can mute colors, which can detract somewhat from Utah's fall charm.
"We probably are not looking at as vibrant a fall color season as we've seen in some other past years," she said. "It's because of our moisture levels."
Contributing: Alex Cabrero
