Unfortunately, if you're a leaf gazer, this may not be the best year for a brilliant display of autumn colors.

The hot and dry summer will likely delay and dimmer the beautiful show.

The ongoing drought and the warmer than normal pattern heading into September will put fall foliage in rough shape. 

What You Need To Know

  • Fall colors may be a little dimmer due to the drought

  • Autumn begins very mild but will likely level out

  • The summer weather will likely delay the onset of fall colors

At a time when we should be trending cooler, the first full week of September is going to be very mild. Don't expect any cool or crisp autumn nights quite yet.

To make matters worse, the US Forest Service says "a warm period during fall will also lower the intensity of fall colors."

Temperatures will be hanging nearly 15 to 20 degrees above normal to start September. Daytime highs will range from the upper 80s to the mid-90s. 

However, over the next three months, temperatures look to level out and will likely sit closer to normal for late September, October and November.

Early September also looks very dry. Current drought conditions will likely increase across the state.

Several areas already sit under an extreme drought with little relief insight. 

According to US Forest Service, "a late spring, or a severe drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks."

To amplify the pain, the next three months may be drier than usual. 

To get the best colors, we really need to get a warm, wet spring and a favorable weather pattern for summer.

In fall, we need to hope for warm sunny days with cool and crisp nights. 

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