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New England likely to see a warm autumn, meteorologists say
The warm weather could make the region's fall foliage less vibrant.
Although fall is right around the corner, there should still be plenty of time to enjoy outdoor activities without the need to bundle up. That’s because meteorologists are now predicting that the Boston area will see an autumn that is warmer than average.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center recently released a temperature outlook for September, October, and November. It shows that most of New England has a high chance of experiencing temperatures that are warmer than what is normally seen during the fall months.
“That’s not to say we won’t have stretches where a week or two will be below average. But overall the odds are favoring more of a warmer fall compared to average,” said Francis Tarasiewicz, a meteorologist at the NWS Boston office.
Those warmer temperatures likely won’t be accompanied by too much precipitation. The entire region is expected to have average precipitation levels during the fall, Tarasiewicz said.
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What could that mean for leaf peepers? It’s a bit early to begin predicting how New England’s foliage will look, Tarasiewicz said, but prior cooler temperatures tend to favor more vibrant colors. If the season is particularly warm, the region’s trees could put on a disappointing show.
FALL FOLIAGE:
Precipitation levels will play a big role in how the foliage changes. When trees are stressed from reduced water levels, a more “chaotic” foliage season can play out. Certain trees will transition to oranges, reds, and yellows far earlier than others nearby.
People may have already started to notice this sporadic effect in their backyards, Tarasiewicz said. This is because New England experienced a particularly dry summer. Despite some heat waves, however, temperatures were about average.
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In the near future, meteorologists are tracking a cold front that will settle in this week and knock temperatures down to below averages normally seen at the end of August. It will feel like early-to-mid-September, Tarasiewicz said.
There will be plenty of dry air before another cold front moves in on Friday. This one could bring with it showers and scattered thunderstorms.
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