It may be September, but most of the state still feels like summer. While we wait for those triple-digit days to dwindle into something significantly cooler, we can start making plans for fall weather activities. This includes checking out the changing leaves throughout the state, and it looks like those activities may commence much sooner than you think! Check out this interactive map from our friends at Smoky Mountains for the best days and times for fall foliage in Arizona:
We're ready to see those golden fall leaves, so let’s see how to tell when the leaves will change.
The Smoky Mountains website has released an interactive tool that predicts fall colors throughout the country between September and November.
Simply move the controller below the map forward to see predictions for what the colors are expected to look like and when. For example, by the beginning of October, most of the state is expected to see some level of color transition.
And just two weeks later in mid-October, northern and central Arizona’s leaves will be nearing their peak colors. Just a few more days at this point!
This is a pretty cool tool to help you enjoy the very best of the fall season, but keep in mind that nature can be finicky, so the predictor isn’t 100% accurate.
However, you can start making plans to enjoy the great outdoors, such as some of our fall hiking trails in northern Arizona, on the Mogollon Rim, or even in southern Arizona!
Or you can enjoy a scenic fall drive in Arizona on highways that will show off nature’s amazing color palette.
The Smoky Mountain fall foliage prediction map can be found on the official SmokyMountains website. You can also read about the science behind the color change and why the leaves eventually fall from the trees.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing once the fall season arrives here in Arizona? If you’re looking forward to checking out the pretty leaves, you’ll want to take an amazing Arizona fall foliage road trip. We know you’ll be truly impressed if you’ve never seen Arizona’s beautiful fall season!
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