GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — While many West Michigan residents are saddened by the shortening days (nearly 1.5 hour loss of daylight in September) the dwindling daylight also triggers the color changing process in leaves.
Few things in nature are more beautiful than sunshine highlighting a canopy of vibrant red, yellow and orange leaves across the countryside. But how spectacular that show will be this year comes down to weather.
One contributing factor is how stressed our trees are. A lack of water can stress trees, triggering an earlier color change, quicker leaf fall and foliage that may not be as vibrant as past years.
It’s been an abnormally dry in southern lower Michigan since the beginning of July. Grand Rapids’ rainfall deficit is nearly 6 inches with little significant rain in sight. Trees are already starting to show signs of dryness.
Cooler than normal temperatures can also help spark an earlier arrival of fall colors. The entire Great Lakes region started out cool so far this September.
However, cool nights paired with sunny afternoons promote brighter colors. Although Grand Rapids has been cool, the area has we’ve also been quite sunny, receiving 73 percent of available sunshine through mid-September.
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