When will the leaves change, temperatures are cooling in Maryland for fall? – Baltimore Sun

The leaves are already starting to move the colors in Maryland, and the heat section of summer finally seems to have broken, signs that fall is on the way.

But when will exactly fall here?

The first day of the season, just like spring, is marked by the equinox. An equinox is exactly what it looks like, an equal period – 24 hours in equal parts day and night. And for the fall in the northern hemisphere, the Equinox fell on September 22. More specifically, the astronomical fall begins at 2:19 p.m. that day, which is the moment when direct sunlight crosses the equator, said Michael Allen, an associate professor of geography with an accent on climatology and meteorology, at Towson University.

But a lot of variability exists through North America at the start of how we define fall as a season of “Peeping of Leaves”, said Allen.

Beyond the official start date, here is when to expect signs of falling in Maryland.

Change the leaves

The peak of the foliage of Maryland should take place from mid-October to early November of this year, the leaves clearing up in oranges and catchy reds.

The preview of the fall foliage in the Maryland natural resources department this year temporarily predicts the peak foliage season for each region of the state:

• Western Maryland: Weekend of October 11 for the county of Garrett, then the weekend of October 18 for the county of Algany.
• Blue Ridge (Washington, Frederick and Carroll counties): weekend of October 25.
• East of the mountains and west of Interstate 95 (Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Cecil): weekend of November 1.
• East of the I-95 and the eastern bank (remaining counties): November 8.

A August cooler than the average and early September of this year could advance the foliage season. Cold weather and shorter days make trees make less chlorophyll, the pigment that becomes green. While the chlorophyll fades, the yellow and orange colors are manifested, and in certain trees, the trapped sugars create red pigments, which is why oaks and cannonillers often become Burgundy, according to the Smithsonian Institution.

In western Maryland in particular, oaks are starting to become Bordeaux, golden and brown during the foliage peak, and some could even go from Scarlet to Violet for the rest of the season.

Change of time

This year, given the cooler temperatures and lack of precipitation, fall has the impression of starting sooner locally.

Alfredo RuiZ-Barradas, climatologist at Maryland University, College Park, said that the feeling of autumn comes from “fursions of fresh and dry air” which contrasts with the heat and humidity of the summer.

He explained that these quarters of work are caused by seasonal changes in the Jet Stream and Bermuda, and although recent cold fronts have brought in autumn time, temperatures could bounce back in the coming weeks for Maryland.

Shorter days

While the equinox approaches September 22, the days will begin to feel shorter. In the past few months of the year, the earth’s axis means that this hemisphere is pointed out of the sun, which means that the area obtains less direct sun and is starting to live shorter days and longer nights.

The clocks are backwards one hour on November 2 due to summer time. Some Maryland legislators have planned to modify this, but the practice remains unchanged.

With these panels that start to present themselves through the region, the Marylanders can start preparing for the Pull weather, the Halloween reading lists and the return of autumn traditions.

Do you have a tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.