The eastern panhandle town of Canadian is gearing up for its annual Fall Foliage Festival. Always held the third weekend in October, the festival brings in visitors from all across the country to see the spectacular scenery. Each year, the trees of the town display their oranges and golds, but with one of the hottest summers on record in the Texas Panhandle, will the trees have turned their fallish hues?
According to the United States National Arboretum, "many think cooler weather or frost causes the leaves to change color. While temperature may dictate the color and its intensity, it is only one of many environmental factors that play a part in painting deciduous woodlands in glorious fall colors…..In late summer or early autumn, the days begin to get shorter, and nights are longer. Like most plants, deciduous trees and shrubs are rather sensitive to length of the dark period each day."
So, temperatures play a large role in determining color intensity, but it's actually the hours of daylight (or lack thereof in the fall and winter) that lead to the color change in the first place.
Besides viewing the colors of fall, the festival promises activities throughout the town this Saturday and Sunday. And, according to Storm Search 7 meteorologist, Shelly Sites, the temperatures in Canadian this weekend will be in the mid 80's - comfortable to be outside enjoying what autumn has to offer.
For a full list of activities, canadiantx.org
