Have you ever wondered why the leaves change color in fall? Well, the breathtaking colors of autumn leaves are tied to weather conditions preceding and during the chlorophyll decline, scientists reveal.
Key influencers are temperature and moisture. Optimal conditions for vibrant displays involve a sequence of warm, sunny days followed by cool, crisp, non-freezing nights. This combination encourages sugar production in leaves, with cool nights preventing their outward movement.
The results are brilliant pigments, painting leaves in reds, purples, and crimson hues. Carotenoids, always present, contribute to consistent yellow and gold tones. Soil moisture, a variable like weather, also plays a crucial role.
A warm, wet spring, favorable summer, and sunny fall days with cool nights promise the most dazzling autumn colors, making each fall season a unique spectacle shaped by the unpredictable dance of nature.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
