Why Are Leaves Changing Color Later This Fall?

What impact do rising temperatures have on fall foliage? In this video, Museum Educator Sloane explains how trees change color in response to cooling temperatures: when chlorophyll production slows, the bright orange, red, and yellow pigments in leaves are revealed. But autumn temperatures have been getting warmer over the past 50 years by an average of 2.5°F, or 1.4°C. This causes leaves to turn colorful later, and to drop sooner after turning, reducing the time when peak colors will be visible!