- Vibrant autumn colouring expected

This year’s autumn display could be particularly vibrant, thanks to a wetter summer compared to the drier season seen in 2022.

The classic autumnal hues were muted last year, with trees placed under heat stress due to a lack of rainfall throughout the summer.

In addition to the lack of rainfall, above average temperatures followed by a period of strong winds resulted in many trees losing their leaves before they had a chance to transform for the season.

This year, wetter weather throughout the summer rehydrated trees and plants, helping to create a wide variety of those russet tones we expect from autumn.

The growing season was kickstarted with the sixth-wettest March in the UK since records began in 1836, as England saw rainfall 55% above the average.

Through the summer months, plenty of sunshine helped promote healthy growth and will have helped trees build up sugar supplies which produce the autumn colours.

A spike in heat last month in September could have slightly delayed the bloom of russet, as higher temperatures slow the seasonal change.

Colour changes in leaves occur when the days become shorter and temperatures drop. As this happens, green chlorophyll in leaves disappears and exposes the orange to reddish hues beneath.

If you head out to capture the extraordinary sights that autumn can produce, don’t forget to show off your shots! Tap the image icon in the app, use our UK uploader, or the Irish uploader.