The best times, places to spot changing leaves

WASHINGTON — A fabulous display of fall foliage is expected next month along Skyline Drive in Virginia.

Farmer’s Almanac has named Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park one of its “Top Fall Foliage Destinations” in the United States.

“Because it’s so pretty, and it’s 105 miles long,” says Farmer’s Almanac Managing Editor Sandi Duncan.

Duncan says intensity of fall leaf color depends on summer weather — especially temperatures in August.

“The summer wasn’t that hot. It was a nice summer and it was coolish(sic) at night so we and other experts expect this leaf peeping season is going to be spectacular,” Duncan says.

Fall colors peak on average in Virginia between Oct. 12 and 28. Duncan says cool overnight temperatures recently suggest peak this year should occur in mid-October.

In western Maryland, tree leaves typically start changing color about Sept. 20 and the display continues through Oct. according to Foliage.org.

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