Utah’s fall colors are moving down in elevation

SALT LAKE CITY- Now is the time to see all of Utah’s fall colors as the peak season in mid-elevation areas quickly approaches. The colors will move to the valley floor in the next few weeks.

Utahns are already seeing vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows dotting the Wasatch mountainside due to cooler and relatively dry temperatures. However, with snow already in the very tops of the mountains, meteorologists said trees in the highest elevations have already passed their color peaks.

The colors will soon be moving into the valleys.

“It’s starting to get into the peak times for the mid-elevations and mountain valley areas,” said Monica Traphagan, senior meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “Down here in the valley, we’re starting to see some change and as we get to the next week or two we’ll be looking good even down here.” 

This weekend, most of Northern Utah will see peak fall colors. As we move into late October and early November, the bright-colored leaves will be found more in the southern areas of the state. If the weather remains dry and cool at night, the fall colors are likely to become even more vibrant.

“The weather has been pretty favorable for those fall colors given that we’ve stayed cool,” Traphagan said.

Over the next two to three weeks, foliage along the valley floor will change to fall colors before the leaves fall from the trees.

Related stories:

• Fall weather is here: rain, mountain snow to start the week
• Snow returns to mountains, as fall-like temperatures reach Utah ahead of official season