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New York’s near-record drought is ruining beloved fall activities and turning Central Park red weeks early
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New York’s near-record drought is ruining beloved fall activities and turning Central Park red weeks early

New York City’s month-long drought is turning leaves in Central Park and other green spaces red and orange weeks earlier than usual.

Peak foliage is already arriving in parts of the 843-acre preserve, instead of the typical early November when locals flock there for the perfect fall photo.

The Central Park Conservancy website’s interactive map shows the trees around Great Hill, North Meadow, the Mall and Hallett Nature Sanctuary are already at their peak.

Other parts of the park are in pre-peak, but it’s not long before they reach their reddest and all of the park’s 18,000 trees drop their leaves.

New York’s near-record drought is ruining beloved fall activities and turning Central Park red weeks early

Month-long drought in New York turns leaves in Central Park and other green spaces red and orange weeks earlier than usual

Many leaves have already turned red, orange and yellow and fallen from the trees in the park

Many leaves have already turned red, orange and yellow and fallen from the trees in the park

Peak foliage is already arriving in parts of the 843-acre preserve, instead of the typical early November when locals flock there for the perfect fall photo

Peak foliage is already arriving in parts of the 843-acre preserve, instead of the typical early November when locals flock there for the perfect fall photo

Weeks of drought, one of the longest on record for the city, are to blame, as warmer days, more sunlight and cooler nights accelerate the coloring of the foliage.

If no measurable rain falls before the end of Halloween, as forecast, New York will go without rain for a full calendar month for the first time.

The drought is expected to continue even longer, except for a small chance of overnight drizzle after Halloween, nothing is expected until Election Day.

Temperatures will also continue the trend, ranging from fall-like 60F to summer-like highs of 80F with lows of 43F to 61F during the coming week.

Weeks of drought, one of the longest on record for the city, are to blame, as warmer days, more sunlight and cooler nights speed up the coloration of the foliage.

Weeks of drought, one of the longest on record for the city, are to blame, as warmer days, more sunlight and cooler nights speed up the coloration of the foliage.

Shades of bright red are already appearing on many of the trees along the pond in the southeast corner of Central Park

Shades of bright red are already appearing on many of the trees along the pond in the southeast corner of Central Park

Central Park Conservancy website interactive map shows trees around Great Hill, North Meadow, Mall and Hallett Nature Sanctuary are already at their peak

Central Park Conservancy website interactive map shows trees around Great Hill, North Meadow, Mall and Hallett Nature Sanctuary are already at their peak

Halloween is forecast to be the hottest in generations at around 80F and could break the 1946 record of 81F – and the night won’t be much cooler.

At least the kids will have perfect trick-or-treating weather as very few clouds are expected throughout the day.

The good news for those caught off guard by the early leaf color change is that the peak is expected to last another week or two with good weather to enjoy it.

Yellow and orange leaves dominate the trees that line the rivers around Manhattan

Yellow and orange leaves dominate the trees that line the rivers around Manhattan

The good news for those caught off guard by the early leaf color change is that the peak is expected to last another week or two with good weather to enjoy it.

The good news for those caught off guard by the early leaf color change is that the peak is expected to last another week or two with good weather to enjoy it.