(KNSI) – Fall colors are still stubbornly avoiding south of St. Cloud, even as northern Minnesota is now completely at peak.
The latest Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fall Color Finder map shows Lake Maria State Park still only at 10%-25% of peak. Similar conditions are estimated for all of Meeker, Sherburne, and Wright Counties, along with the southern half of Stearns and Benton Counties.
It shifts rapidly if you head in the other direction. Morrison County is mostly at 25%-50% of peak, but the eastern edge and a majority of Mille Lacs County are at 50%-75% of peak. Add in the cooler temps and the frost and freeze advisories in effect Monday night, and those areas will likely be at peak in a matter of days.
The changing of the leaves is determined by the shorter days. Less sunlight pushes trees to begin to go into hibernation mode. They stop moving chlorophyll to the leaves in the outer limbs, which gives them the traditional summer green pigment.
Cold snaps or warm streaks can alter the timing to a degree. Weather also plays a role in how vibrant the colors are.
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