Get Ready For A Spectacular Autumn, This May Be The Best Season Ever

Leaves are starting to change their colors from green to yellow and orange and red, but some autumns are more beautiful than others. This year is expected to be one for the books.

Autumns become prettier from one year to the next depending on the phenomena surrounding them. Factors like the amount and duration of spring blossoms and the quantity of fruit and berries play a role in predicting how beautiful an autumn would be. Like wine, the quality varies from year to year, and it's mostly thanks to the weather.

In an explanation by IFL Science, the distinct colors in leaves are formed by a combination of chemicals - four of them to be exact: chlorophyll, carotenoids, xanthophylls, and anthocyanins. The chlorophyll, which is a big part of photosynthesis, reflects the green light which explains the color of most of the trees in the spring and summer. However, as the days shorten in temperate latitudes, the trees will have to prepare a dormant period by withdrawing the nutrients from their leaves, and chlorophyll, which is rich in nitrogen that plants need, breaks down faster in the autumn season. As less green light is reflected, the colors of other chemicals in the leaves become more and more visible.

The Guardian noted that autumn could come as early as mid-September this year, but the dry conditions could mean that the colors are at their best in mid-to-late October. Don't worry though, the mild autumn could also mean for a prolonged color well into November.

Andrew Smith, the Forestry Commission director at the National Arboretum in Gloucestershire, Westonbirt, said, "The abundance of rain we experienced in spring, coupled with above-average sunshine has meant a great growing season for trees as it allows them to build up plenty of sugars in their leaves."

He added, "Autumn's foliage displays are certainly affected by the weather and this year we have our fingers crossed that it should be good for producing a great autumnal color display."