It’s late October, and just like that, leaves and trees in at least half of the nation have reached their peak fall colors, dazzling onlookers with shades of yellow, orange, red and purple.

The coloring comes from trees storing chlorophyll. This chemical gives leaves their green color, and when it’s gone, nature enthusiasts are left with the hues of fall, allowing them to take photos, do crafts or simply gaze at the leaves as they undergo this annual event.

Tennessee-based travel website SmokyMountains.com has created an interactive map where travelers can track fall foliage around the nation, finding out where the leaves are approaching peak fall colors, have passed it and even if there's minimal change among the trees.

Experts say factors that impact fall foliage include steady rai

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