It's fall in Washington. When will the leaves change?
Fall official beings this week, but leaf lovers in Washington may have to wait slightly longer to see the foliage change from green to red, orange and yellow.
Washington's seasonal change from summer to fall usually brings shorter days, more rain and colder temperatures across Washington. This year the state could see slightly warmer temperatures and fall foliage in October, according to a recent AccuWeather report.
While some parts of the country will see the leaves change later this month, here's when to expect fall to take hold outside your window in Washington.
When is the first day of fall?
In 2026, the first day of fall is Tuesday, Sept. 22. According to NASA, the September equinox falls on Sept. 22 at 5:05 p.m. PT.
When will Washington's fall colors arrive?
Washington's fall foliage will hit its peak color in October, according to AccuWeather. Weather conditions throughout the rest of September and into next month will determine when exactly the leaves begin to turn, but forecasters suggest that the state could see foliage burst between mid- to late-October.
Northern Washington's cascade region and parts of the state along the Canadian border will see the first leaves turn to autumn colors, according to the AccuWeather forecast. "However, foliage may not be as vibrant across the interior Northwest due to long-term drought and wildfires," AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada wrote in the forecast. Weather patterns across the state impact the exact timing of the fall leaf change.
South western Washington, along with other parts of the state along the border with Oregon, could see fall foliage peak in late-October.
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Fall foliage is forecasted to hit western Washington slightly later than normal, according to the forecast. The Puget Sound region, along with the Olympics and out to Washington's coast, could see fall leaves arrive late into October.
According to State of Washington Tourism, the best time to catch fall leaves in Washington is typically mid-October.
When do Washington's larches peak?
Every fall, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts brave the Cascade mountains to catch a glimpse of Washington's famous deciduous conifer trees known as "larches." Larches turn from green to bright yellow in the fall, lighting up the natural landscape along the Cascade mountain range with immense pops of color. The trees are unique to Washington and only turn bright yellow for a few weeks out of the year.
"Larches are a pot of gold in the fall hiking season," according to the Washington Trails Association.
September and October are the best times for peak "larch marches" to catch the trees in full color. Washington State Parks recommends a few hikes for those wanting to see the fall foliage in action:
Sawtooth Lakes (Upper Eagle Lake or Horsehead Pass – moderate/strenuous)
Larch Lake, Lake Julius/Lake Ethel, or Carne Mountain (Strenuous)
Heather/Maple Pass Loop or Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Pass (moderate)
Swauk Discovery Trail (easy), Tronsen Ridge/Blewett Pass (easy to moderate), Lake Ingalls (strenuous)
Lake Clara (easy to moderate)
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1 this year. Despite recent efforts to change the clock adjustments, Washington residents will still "fall back" and move clocks one hour earlier on Nov. 1 this year.
What's the best way to track weather in Washington?
National Weather Forecast Offices in Seattle/Tacoma and Spokane, Portland (for southeast WA) and Pendleton (for central WA)
Washington State Department of Transportation Weather Stations
Apps like The Weather Channel, Apple Weather, AccuWeather for daily forecasts
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: It's fall in Washington. When will the leaves change?
