The changing colour of autumn leaves is a spectacular event in forests worldwide. The colours form a colourful canvas that ends summer. In the USA, the leaves have been affected by drought. This has dulled the colours of the leaves. Much of America's northwest has had weather that did not produce colourful leaves. The traditional autumnal beauty spots of Massachusetts and New Hampshire are experiencing duller colours.
A forest and ecology professor explained why this year has been so bad. He said there were several factors, including mild drought, warm days and cool nights. He said the colours came two weeks earlier than normal, "and will probably go by fast and furiously". The weather created "physiological stress for the trees". The professor warned: "The stress is not a good thing and may be a harbinger of things to come with climate change."