MACON, Ga. — Fall started Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2:47 a.m. Mornings are feeling nicer, but it doesn't quite look like fall.
Fall foliage is the process by which leaves change colors during fall. Lots of science is involved, but did you know that leaves don't actually change colors?
Sunlight is most abundant during spring & summer when there are more hours during the day.
Photosynthesis is most abundant during these seasons, allowing more development of chlorophyll within the leaves. Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives the leaves its green colors.
During fall & winter, daylight decreases, meaning less photosynthesis and chlorophyll development.
Other pigments became more dominant during this period.
In the later months, Carotene will show in the leaves, giving it a yellow color.
Eventually, Anthocyanins give the leaves the darker orange and brown colors.
The colors and pigments are already in the leaves, but the green chlorophyll is typically more dominant.
Some portions of northeastern Georgia are already seeing some patchy colors.
We can expect colors to peak in Central Georgia around late October.
Leaves will start to fall in November.