Fall might be here, technically, but it certainly doesn't feel like it with these 80 degree days we've been having in Chesapeake Country. But don't fret, the changing of the leaves and crisp, cool days could be just around the corner. Which means perfect weather for
fall cruising.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that Western Maryland is seeing the first signs of the season, "as the region’s early reds, yellows and oranges are starting to pop, particularly visible in Garrett County’s higher elevations above 2,500 feet." But with the unusually warm and dry weather, much of the foliage is still green in both Garrett and Allegany counties.
Below is a map of the current fall foliage in Maryland for the weekend of September 30-October 1. Be sure to check back with DNR each week to see how the fall foliage is progressing. That way you can plan a crisp fall cruise to a quiet gunkhole and enjoy the fall colors from the water.
You should also check out this really cool interactive map developed by
SmokyMountains.com. The map is based on an algorithm that uses historic foliage patterns and data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Data includes past temperatures and forecast temperatures over an 11-week period from mid-August to early November.
The map breaks leaf-viewing trends into color coded categories, with green meaning no change, red for peak, and brown for past peak. Fall temperatures are expected to be warmer than average this year, and while that may mean a later start to the season, it could also mean a prolonged color (peak) season.
Most of us boaters are outdoorsy people by nature, and know that not every weekend will be spent on the boat. But weekends not on the boat could mean hiking or biking around our beautiful state, and there's no better time for that than fall. If you hope to catch the fall colors at their peak this year, check out these helpful resources.