Will NJ’s dry summer impact fall foliage?

The dry conditions that the Garden State has faced over the last few months could affect one of the highlights of autumn in New Jersey, the fall colors.

Bill Hlubik, Professor and Agricultural and Resource Management Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Rutgers, The State University, said the drought could change the timeline a bit for fall foliage.

"There could be a little bit of a delay in that because of the drought conditions that we've had," Hlubik said.

The typical fall color peak takes place in mid-to-late October, but Hlubik believes that could bleed into November this season. He said you will still see yellows, then orange, and red leaves, but it may not be as vibrant as usual.

"You're still going to get fall color," he said. "It may not be as intense as it could be because of the lack of rainfall."

Hlubik said the recent rain has helped the process, along with this week's projected soaking. He said normal fall conditions will mean good fall color.

"Warm days and cool nights, but not freezing nights, you have excellent fall color," he said.

Hlubik said the brightest and earliest fall foliage can be found out at New Jersey's highest elevations at state and county parks.

"It may be a little shorter lived and may be delayed a little bit, but I think we're going to have great fall color out there," he said.