LUTSEN, Minn. — Fall colors could be exceptionally vibrant and peak early throughout the state this year.

You can thank the weather, said Brian Schwingle, a forest health program consultant with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Relative to 2024, the weather has really cooperated in 2025 for fall color display,” Schwingle said at a recent news conference.

Northeastern Minnesota typically sees those peak colors in late September to mid-October, and this year will be on the early side.

May was warmer, so leaves formed a bit earlier, and that could mean they change color earlier, too, Schwingle said.

May was also relatively dry. If it is really wet when leaves form, as it was last year, it can lead to defoliation from disease before fall colors. Schwingle estimated up to a

See Full Page