Drought Dulls Maine's Vibrant Fall Foliage

As of October 31, 2025, Maine's fall foliage season has been significantly impacted by the state's ongoing drought. According to a professor of geography at the University of Richmond, the colors this year have been "so sad," with many leaves appearing to have fallen prematurely.

The U.S. Drought Monitor's October 23, 2025 report recorded drought conditions across all of Maine, with a swath of "extreme drought" stretching from Downeast into New Hampshire's White Mountains region. This drought stress has influenced the behavior of trees as temperatures have gotten colder, leading to a less vibrant display of autumn hues.

Maples, which typically produce the signature red and purple pigments in their leaves, have struggled under the drought conditions. These trees require extra energy to create the anthocyanin pigments, and when stressed, they will not spend their resources on this process. In contrast, oaks, which are more resilient to drought, have shown a late-season show of colors this year.

Experts warn that the changing climate patterns are likely to continue disrupting the timing and intensity of Maine's fall foliage displays. The state climatologist at the University of Maine notes that while Maine's overall precipitation has increased since the 1950s, the state is now more prone to swinging between short bursts of heavy rainfall and prolonged drought periods, exacerbating the impacts on the trees.