Josh Williams takes a walk Friday afternoon in the Beaty Historical District in this undated file photo.

After a less-than-colorful fall 2016, those who love the yellow, orange and red of the autumn season will be in luck this year.

Last year’s drought, combined with prolonged periods of above-average temperatures, took a toll on the Tennessee Valley’s oak, maple and hickory trees. This year has been milder, and we’ve had plenty of rainfall. Doug Chapman, regional extension agent for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, said both of those factors should make for a colorful fall.

“Last year, the trees went quiescent, which is just a big word to say they stopped growing,” he said.

Chapman explained, however, that quiescence can be reversed, whereas dormancy cannot. He said it would appear as though the trees have bounced back after this year’s rainfall. We’ll need some clear, cool nights, however, to help the color process along.

So when will vibrant colors be the most prominent? If forecasts are to be believed, hardwood trees should begin to transition from mid-to-late October through mid-November.

Color change causes

Temperature plays a major role in fall color. Trees get their green pigmentation through a chemical called chlorophyll. As long periods of daylight wane and temperatures tend to dip, chlorophyll in foliage starts to break down, creating the rich red, orange, yellow and brown synonymous with the fall season.

Chapman explained hotter, more humid nights results in less color, hence the reason why no one travels to Florida to view the leaves.

“That’s why they go to the mountains and places like Vermont,” he said. “The nights are cooler in the higher elevations. We have some very nice fall color in North Alabama.”

Fall Color Trail

There are five spots in North Alabama highlighted on the state Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Trail.

They are:

• The Natchez Trace Parkway in Cherokee;

• Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville;

• Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville;

• Russell Cave National Monument in Bridgeport; and

• Little River Canyon in Fort Payne.

For more information, visit alabama.travel/trails/fall-color-trail.