CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Leaves are starting to change colors in West Virginia, which is earlier than originally expected.
Normally, fall color starts in the higher elevations of West Virginia around the end of September to beginning of October. But as of Sept. 15, places in the Allegheny Highlands and Monongahela National Forest are starting to show signs autumn.
According to the weekly 2025 Fall Color Report released by the U.S. Forest Service, hints of reds, oranges and golds are starting to emerge throughout the Monongahela National Forest. The color change is earlier than usual, especially compared to last year when the leaf change was delayed because of extreme drought.
Fall colors on the Laurel Fork Wilderness Overlook on the Monongahela National Forest (Courtesy: USDA Forest Service photo by Robert C. Whetsell)
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As of last week, part of West Virginia is in a severe drought, but nothing compared to 2024.
Mon Forest Towns and the Pendleton County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau said Friday that although most of the Seneca Rocks area is still green, the trees along the cliff face are at 40% autumn coverage.
The Forest Service will continue to release weekly updates on the fall color for the Eastern Region until Nov. 3, and once fall color starts to peak in West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Tourism will release weekly lists of the best places to see it.
Back in August, experts predicted that this year would be a “magnificent” for fall foliage in West Virginia.
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