FARMINGTON, Maine — The leaves are changing fast, and while some areas in the mountains are beginning to peak, this season’s foliage was a bit behind schedule.
It was a warm September. It was an average of 5 degrees above normal for the month. In addition, it has also been abnormally dry. It wasn’t until the flooding rains of Sept. 30 that the foliage season in Maine truly began.
That storm served as the catalyst to initiate foliage late in the season. At this date last year, most of western Maine was already past peak foliage. This year, most parts of Maine are just peaking. This year’s warmth and dry conditions delayed our typical foliage schedule by one to two weeks throughout the state.
The delay of foliage seemed to do only that — delay the beautiful turning of the leaves. Fortunately, the leaves are just as vibrant and colorful as years past and the warmer, drier weather hasn’t dampened the quality of foliage.
Unfortunately, peak conditions aren’t likely to last long. What typically ends foliage season is a storm or a nor’easter with high winds. Maine isn’t expecting a storm, but cold air rushes into New England this weekend, bringing along gusty winds by Friday. The high winds will tear the weak leaves from their branches, moving us one step closer to winter.
If you appreciate the radiant reds, oranges and yellows that peak foliage has to offer, take the long way home from work on Thursday.