Fall colors

Despite the deepening effects of climate change, scientists say autumn leaves in North America and Europe are not changing color later, but they may be becoming duller. “Warmer temperatures in September and October reduce anthocyanin production in leaves, which could mean that fall colors would become less brilliantly red or purple,” said Susanne S. Renner of Washington University in St. Louis. Only if the first frost comes later than it used to would the brilliant foliage appear later. “Leaves still start to die after about the same amount of time,” she said.