West Virginia is known for its bright fall foliage colors, especially in places like Dolly Sods and Cranberry Glades. And this year is not expected to disappoint according to fall predictions this year.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in West Virginia, when the leaves display a bright spectrum of color. This is especially beautiful when you consider the amount of trees that cover this state from border to border.

According to fall foliage reports this year, the temperatures in the summer season have been above normal, and the rain has also fallen at above normal rates. These two factors have set the stage for what is expected to be an amazing display of color for the 2018 fall season.

Many of the factors that occur during the fall season itself can also change the color display, but in general the chart below provides a look at yearly averages of when you can expect to see peak colors.

The leaves change color during this time of year mostly because when the days become shorter and there is less sunlight during an average day. The leaves stop producing chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color. This causes the color to change.

When the color changes, a leaf begins to produce a hormone which "bleeds" into the leaf from the edges to the roots, causing the change in color you see pictured below.

This process limits the flow of water into the leaf, which chlorophyll needs to survive. So, the green color fades away, giving rise to what is considered the leaf's natural or true color.

Since the chlorophyll can no longer survive, it no longer masks the leaf's actual color, which is varied depending on the species of tree. The leaf is also slowing dying during this process from the lack of water, and eventually falls. This is basically the way a tree protects itself from winter temperatures. It is essentially a tree's version of hibernation, shedding the growing parts of itself that can allow damage to seep in.

Foliage color usually reaches its peak in high mountains and the northern counties in late September, while the rest of the state usually sees this change around mid-October.

If you want to follow the fall foliage changes, the The Foliage Network gives weekly reports on the changes that occur ion the state, so you can remain up to date on the best viewing times. So, you can stay tuned to the reports and plan your fall trip to see the best colors West Virginia has to offer.

Are you looking forward to the fall foliage this year? What places would you recommend for the seeing the best fall colors Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.