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Final stretch of summer: When to expect peak fall colors in the DC region

By
FOX 5 DC
Weather
Published August 21, 2026 10:53 PM EDT
Published August 21, 2026 10:53 PM EDT
article

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: Sunrise lights up the autumn leaves surrounding the Tidal Basin and framing the Washington Monument on October 31, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • The fall equinox will occur on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:05 p.m.
    • The unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, is on Monday, Sept. 7. 
    • Peak fall colors typically arrive in the D.C. region during the second week of October.  

WASHINGTON - It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end and fall is just a month away. The fall equinox will occur on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:05 p.m.

The heavy rainfall in July and early August has resulted in lush green trees and grass.

What we know:

Although we are months away from leaf peeping and indulging in everything pumpkin spice, there may be some changes this season.

While most people believe that leaves start to change colors due to cooler temps, it’s also the combination of the loss of sunlight’s intensity and duration that causes the chlorophyll, which gives leaves their rich green color, to break down and change color.

Timeline:

While you may be eagerly anticipating fall-like conditions, we still have a couple of weeks until the unofficial end of summer, which is Labor Day on Monday, September 7.

If you’re planning a trip to drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains or Shenandoah National Park, peak fall colors typically arrive in the second week of October.  

The FOX 5 weather team will bring you more updates as leaf-peeping season gets closer. 

The Source: Information in this article is from FOX 5's weather team. 

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