The color of fall foliage is determined by the weather conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and amount of sunlight. The shorter daylight and longer overnight hours associated with the change in season from summer to fall trigger the decline of chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving a leaf its trademark green color. The Finger Lakes and broader Upstate New York region are awash in vibrant autumn colors during the middle two weeks of October. The timing and brilliance of fall color are influenced by temperature, sun exposure, and rainfallâalong with a range of other conditions. These conditions are shifting with climate change, disrupting the ecological and economic value linked to fall foliage.
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