GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Fall colors are running behind schedule this year in West Michigan.
Many spots are a full two weeks behind what we would expect, with only moderate color being reported in the Upper Peninsula this week. Usually this is the time peak colors start to pop for counties around Lake Superior.
Leaves change every year because of the fluctuation in daylight. Shorter days trigger a response in our trees, telling them winter is on its way and it’s time to shake their leaves.
While leaf-drop is inevitable, the display each year is highly dependent on the week-to-week weather patterns.
The best displays happen when our trees are not stressed, meaning there has been average rainfall. Drought can cause an early change and fast leaf-drop. Flood or a surplus of rain can cause trees to cling to their leaves much longer than usual and delay the change.
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