Are The Leaves Changing Early in Your Area ???

[Hillcrest]

In my area of New England, while smoking my pipe outdoors, I noticed a few trees had leaves changing to fall colors in August, a little early in my experience. At first, I thought it was the extremely hot and dry weather but now I'm not so sure. I saw a fox the other night that appeared to have a dark winter coat already and I thought ... that's weird, maybe it was a trick of the light at night.
I noticed the squirrels were collecting acorns even before they have matured, strange. Now this:

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2025/08/13/farmers-almanac-unveils-long-range-forecast-widespread-wintry-weather-for-u-s/

We have had several mild winters here on average the past few years. I wonder if the pendulum is swinging back.

 

[Kobold]

I’ve noticed that too. Leaves changing already and some dropping. It’s been chilly at night and in the morning lately too which is pretty rare for Maryland this time of year. It’s been heating up this week though.

 

[ofafeather]

For me, in NY on the border of CT and MA, the leaves have been changing early for a few years. The sumacs and vines are usually the first to hit the reds. Some trees even start dropping leaves. Not sure about winter weather but snow will be so much better than the ice storms we’ve been getting.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

It does look like the weather is doing something different.

Really all year...

We had a once in 50 years snow here too.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I took my son for a walk a few days ago, and he found a red leaf on the ground, which was kind of a surprise.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Meh, we haven't had snow in SE PA in years, I'm expecting it to be any different than it's been, warm & rainy.

 

[Peter Turbo]

I'm in Southwest CT and its all still green here but I remember as far back as 20 years ago seeing leaf change in the shagbark hickory in my parents yard at the end of August, which is in the same area. As far as squirrels harvesting early, in my area at least, we've hit a bit of a draught so its not uncommon behavior for them to do this because of that.

As far as that almanac is concerned I for one hope we get an actual winter this year. There are many species of plants which rely on that insulating blanket of snow and species of trees, like our sugar maples which expect and need those very cold freezing temperatures.

 

[ofafeather]

As far as that almanac is concerned I for one hope we get an actual winter this year. There are many species of plants which rely on that

Plus maybe killing off some of the tick population which has been off the charts.

 

[PaulRVA]

Virginia
I just finished blowing leaves in the woods on my property. I’ve never had to do that in August. I usually start late September to Mid October.
We’ve been getting between 11-13 inches of rain per month since May and within the last 7 days the ground / grass is finally dry for the first time this season.
Our Deer, Turkeys, Rabbits and Squirrels have been extremely active this past week and I honestly wonder if this is due to TS Erin’s formation in the Atlantic and they’re preparing for it ?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Nope - we've had lots of rain and warmer to hot temps. Leaves won't change until it gets drier and colder so I'm predicting later than usual around here. I can start running dogs pre-season at the game farm in three weeks (if the temps aren't too hot) but these days in the fall I want dry and colder temps to get here sooner just to drive the ticks away, lol.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Semi rural Netherlands.
Not yet, but hopefully will happen soon; the knotted lime trees in front of the old house always come first .
Searing hot and dry now, we stay indoors.
Autumn being my favourite season I look forward to it a lot.

 

[Hillcrest]

I’ve noticed that too. Leaves changing already and some dropping. It’s been chilly at night and in the morning lately too which is pretty rare for Maryland this time of year. It’s been heating up this week though.

Same ... 94 and humid yesterday; 71 at night.

 

[Hillcrest]

It does look like the weather is doing something different.

Really all year...

We had a once in 50 years snow here too.

Must be ... climate change ! Maybe we can pay a tax !

 

[Hillcrest]

As for ticks ... I only found young one crawling on me in Spring and none since. We have a lot of deer and mice around here too. But I take enough blood thinner (Factor 5 positive-predisposed to clotting) to drop a horse and they usually jump off.

 

[ofafeather]

But I take enough blood thinner (Factor 5 positive-predisposed to clotting) to drop a horse and they usually jump off.

Funny/not funny.

 

[The Benedictine]

My sister says the leaves are dropping here early. The almanac says we are supposed to have a cool wet autumn.

 

[lraisch]

In the Pacific Northwest we just had a few days in the upper 80s and lower 90s (F), but I've been seeing leaves changing color for a week or two already. It has been very dry here this summer.

 

[dottlejockey]

Yep. Here, too. Noticed this about 2 weeks ago while out lunting the neighborhood with the old dog.

 

[Shore]

No leaves dropping here (central valley California) and it is still super hot, but it has been unseasonably cool in the evenings (100F down to 65F) and that is pretty unusual. I think this has something to do with the valley oak trees (quercus lobata) (sp.?) that already have good size acorns growing...Haven't seen acorns like this - this early before...