Based on my observation, I’d say this year’s fall foliage display is one of the most brilliant that I’ve seen, or at least it appears to be.

The oaks seem to have a more yellowish tint than their typical rusty brown, and the red maples appear deeper and darker red than I remember. Is this fall’s foliage display really more colorful, or is it just my perception?What’s the difference this year?

Weather conditions related to moisture, temperature and sunlight are the dominant factors involved with the timing of fall color change.

Based on local weather data from the National Weather Service, October rainfall totals are pushing the 7-inch mark, and that’s more than double the normal monthly average. The data indicates (as did the creeks) that we received nearly 5 of those 7 inches overnight on Oct. 8-9. Average temperatures are 7 degrees below normal at 54°F, and cloud cover has dominated the daytime skies allowing for only six clear days and 18 days of cloudy skies.

This current “Pacific Northwest Arkansas” weather pattern is a reminder that we should expect, or at least accept, the random andabnormal weather patterns associated with living in Northwest Arkansas. But what impact does it have on fall foliage color?

The officialWeb site for the state of Arkansas (www.

arkansas.com) publishes an updated fall foliage report for different areas the state.

As stated on theirWeb site, “The best weather pattern for fall foliage color change is warm sunny days followed by cool nights.

When it’s sunny and warm, leaves continue to manufacture nutrients. But during cool nights these sugars remain in the leaves instead of being passed through the stem and into the tree, resulting in much of the color we see.”

That information is based on solid scientific research, I’m sure. But the conditions described as “the best weather pattern for fall color” aren’t the conditionswe’ve experienced here in northwest Arkansas, and so far our fall color is spectacular. In contrast, we could say that excess moisture, slightly below-average temperatures, and just handful of sunny days are the best weather conditions for fall color change. Perhaps excess moisture plays a greater role in fall color than the occurrence of warm, sunny days.

There is another theory.

As I mentioned before, the greatest abnormality in our weather pattern this fall has been the excess moisture, which brings with it cloud cover. Could it be that the fall foliage only “seems” brighter due to the contrast of the foliage against the gray backdrop of a sunless sky? Maybe, but does it really matter? Since if it “seems” brighter, then brighter it must be.

Regardless of whether you subscribe to a perception-based theory, or a weather dependent one (or neither), the important thing is to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty that our natural state has to offer;

abnormal as it weather patterns may be.

◊◊ ◊

Mark Bray is a county extension agent with the University of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Services. His column appears on Sundays. Call him at (479) 271-1060 or e-mail mbray@uaex.edu.

Agriculture, Pages 10 on 10/25/2009

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