INDIANAPOLIS — We're finally feeling more fall-like as a stretch of below-average temperatures is in the forecast this week. This cooler trend will also bring the risk of frost and perhaps a freeze in more rural areas, which will have an impact on outdoor plants and even our fall colors.
The "coolest" mornings this week will be Wednesday, with lows in the mid to upper 30s, and Thursday, when Indianapolis is expected to drop to 34 degrees and outlying locations near freezing.
If the frosts verifies, how can this impact where our fall foliage stands?
Frost can damage fall foliage in several ways:
- Cell damage: Frost can cause cells in the leaves to rupture and die, which can lead to brown areas or leaves falling off early.
- Shortened color season: Frost can stop leaves from producing anthocyanin, which shortens the time when leaves are colorful.
- Muted colors: Frost can cause the colors on leaves to be more muted.
- Leaves fall off early: Frost can cause leaves to fall off before they change color.
- Withering: A few hard frosts can cause leaves to wither and fall off without changing color.
(Courtesy: National Weather Service)
Where are we in the fall foliage season?
Going into this week, the southern half of the state is still looking at low color change. Northern Indiana is now expected to moderate color. Peak fall foliage across the state is still a few weeks out, likely to occur in the last week of October through the first week of November.
