Dry conditions may cause fall foliage to appear early: Here’s the latest forecast

A new fall forecast suggests that the northeastern United States may see fall colors in the foliage sooner rather than later.

According to a new AccuWeather forecast, “abnormally dry and drought conditions across much of the Northeast, Great Lakes and Northwest have contributed to the arrival of fall colors weeks ahead of the historical average.”

“Stress from a lack of rain has caused many trees to slow the supply of nutrients and moisture to the leaves,” the report reads. “A spell of cooler weather at the start of September in the Northeast also sped up the transition of colors in that region.”

The affected area in the Northeast includes much of Pennsylvania, though the southeastern corner of the state are outside of this prediction.

AccuWeather’s lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok