Fall foliage may peak later than expected in the Twin Tiers

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)---With fall right around the corner, locals and tourists alike await the changing leaves in the Finger Lakes region.

Most of the Twin Tiers, and surrounding areas are abnormally dry, with little rain over the past few weeks. Locals are wondering how this will affect the trajectory of the leaves this fall. Warm, sunny days, and cool nights, in addition to abundant rain provide ideal conditions for the production of sugars within the leaves, which allow for new color pigments to be revealed. "I think the leaves are really going to start to turn maybe even a week or so later, because of the drought and warmer temperatures. That is causing the stress," said Charlie Todd, owner of Chamberlain Acres in Elmira. Fall will officially begin on Sept. 22, upon the Autumnal Equinox