When to expect peak fall leaf color in Evansville and Henderson

Mark Wilson
Evansville Courier & Press

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Autumn-loving residents in the Evansville-Henderson area can expect a colorful season, according to some reports.

Leaves are expected to begin changing in the first week of October in Southwestern Indiana and Western Kentucky, just slightly behind the rest of the Ohio Valley, according to the 2021 Fall Foliage Map

The map, which can be found on the smokymountains.com website, provides an annual look at the progression of leaf colors across the country.

Peak color will come in early November this year, according to the map, but won't stay long. Leaf color will likely be past its peak by Nov. 8.

Yellow and orange are forecasted to dominate the fall leaf colors this year in Southern Indiana and Kentucky.

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The AccuWeather fall foliage report says that fall colors in the Ohio Valley could be vibrant this year. It says in parts of the area where rainfall has averaged near to above normal, colors "could overachieve" — especially if the rest of September stays drier.

The rainfall total for the year so far in Evansville is 34.29 inches, which is just 1% or 0.3 inches below normal, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

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While AccuWeather's fall foliage forecast is generally optimistic for the Evansville-Henderson area, its map takes a more subdued outlook. It predicts autumn foliage will be normal this year and dominated by hues of yellow and orange.

Mark Wilson covers education and environment at the Courier & Press.