WNKY NEWS 40 WEATHER REPORTS: FALL ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND
THE SCIENCE OF THE SEASON
GET READY FOR FALL!
Say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall! Why do seasons change? It’s because our world spins on an axis that is tilted 23.5°. Depending on where you are on our planet, determines where you’ll get direct sunlight. In this case, the Autumnal Equinox is happening this Sunday at 7:43 AM. This happens when the earth’s axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun. Direct sunlight occurs at earth’s equator.
Following the season change, you’ll notice the sun setting sooner, and days eventually get cooler and leaves start changing colors as the growing season nears its end.
WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLOR?
Well here’s the answer! Chlorophyll, a plant based chemical produced by sunlight gives leaves their green color, and as the sun angle lowers, so does the amount of chlorophyll. This causes leaves to loose their green pigmentation, and signals a preparation for the cold winter months ahead.
The timing of the foliage and its vibrancy is also dependent on whether or not the season has been abnormally warmer or drier. Leaf peepers, if you’re waiting to see the peak of the fall colors you may have to wait until the late weeks of October into early November.
