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Maryland Fall Foliage to Peak From Mid-October to Early November, DNR Says

Cooler late summer points to an earlier start, with exact timing dependent on short-term temperature swings.

PORTLAND, OREGON | A canopy of golden fall foliage drapes over a walkway in Laurelhurst Park during autumn in Portland, Oregon.
Fall foliage at Greenbriar Lake, Greenbriar State Park, Maryland.

Overview

  • Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources projects peak color around Oct. 11 in Garrett County and Oct. 18 in Allegany County, with the Blue Ridge region around Oct. 25, areas west of I‑95 around Nov. 1, and the I‑95 corridor and Eastern Shore around Nov. 8.
  • The astronomical start of fall arrives Sept. 22 at 2:19 p.m., even as leaves have already begun showing early color in parts of the state.
  • Forecasters note a cooler August and early September that could advance foliage timing, though a possible warm rebound could slow color development.
  • Climatologists attribute the recent fall feel to cool, dry air intrusions tied to shifts in the jet stream and the Bermuda High, while federal outlooks favor above‑average temperatures for September through November and drought persists in many areas.
  • Shorter days and cooler temperatures reduce chlorophyll and reveal yellows and oranges, with trapped sugars producing reds, and clocks will fall back one hour on Nov. 2 for Daylight Saving Time.