Not only does it finally feel like fall in the Truckee Meadows but more leaves will change color next week as well. According to ExploreFall, the Reno area usually sees peak fall foliage between the middle and end of October. The Sierra changes over faster, with our highest mountains in Mono County reaching their peak by late September. Tahoe usually reaches its peak around early October. Fallon and Dayton switch over after Reno does at the end of the month.
Each year can be a little different and the weather plays a role too. Less rain and warmer temperatures make the colors more muted, while more rain and seasonable temperatures makes the leaves more vibrant. The leaves turn colors as the sun angle lowers and Chlorophyll production stops. Chlorophyll is what produces the green color in vegetation.
Mono County reaches its peak fall color before Lake Tahoe, and Lake Tahoe reaches its peak fall color before Reno. Elevation plays a role along with sun angle, temperature, and moisture. Temperature and moisture more so deal with the vibrancy.
If you want to go hiking this weekend it will be relatively mild, with temperatures near 80 degrees in Reno and 70’s at Lake Tahoe. Winds will be light overall, with normal afternoon breezes. A trough moves in next week bringing cooler temperatures, more wind and precipitation chances along with it. It is too far out to nail down any specifics at this point, but we can look at trends.
