I'm getting married this fall (2003) in Washington, DC.  When will the
leaves will be at peak color?  In 2002, the leaves were not in full
color until about the last week in October, early November.  This
year, we had such a cold winter, and so much rain in the spring, I'm
wondering if the foliage will be at peak color sooner.  I have two
dates to choose from - October 11th or November 1st.  Which date will
be better to view peak foliage colors in Washington, DC?

Congratulations on your engagement!

The foliage in Washington, D.C. will not show much color as early as
October 11, 2003.  So the November 1 date is your better bet, although
it likely will turn out to be a week or so past the peak--too bad you
can't take October 25.

Take a look at this Virginia map:
http://climate.virginia.edu/Climate/foliage_dates.html

As you can see on the map, the colors show early at the higher inland
elevations.  Given D.C.'s sea level location, it occupies the
right-hand band and the latest set of dates.

As you noted, Autumn, 2002 featured very unseasonable weather for the
D.C. area.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/presto/presto2002/2002novtable.pdf

October, 2002 was far wetter than usual, with 5 inches of
precipitation for the month.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/presto/presto2002/2002octcover.pdf

But I think you're wrong in assuming that the weather we've had so far
this year will make much of a difference in what the trees do next
Fall.  If the Summer of '03 gets its share of rain, there will be good
color.

"[A]mple late summer rainfall and an abundance of crisp, cool days in
the early fall provide for the most spectacular displays of red by
such species as the maples, dogwoods and sumacs."
Leafing Through Autumn
http://climate.virginia.edu/Climate/foliage_vca.html

So let's hope for a wet August-September and a dry October.  In the
end, it will be the October '03 rainfall that controls the final
result--not because of the trees' health, but because heavy rainfall
in October will spoil the show if there's enough wind and rain to
knock the leaves off the trees.

But anyway, they won't be looking at the trees--they'll be looking at
the bride!

Search terms used:
"peak foliage" virginia

Thanks for your interesting question.  If you find any of my answer
unclear, please request clarification.  I would appreciate it if you
will hold off on rating my answer until I have a chance to reply.


Sincerely,
Google Answers Researcher
Richard-ga

Your answer was clear and well explained.  Thank you for your help and research.

hello~

got married oct 5, 2002.  even though id been here 3 years, i didnt
think too much about the foliage.  i just assumed there would be good
coloring.  but it wasnt the case at all.  it was 90 degrees that day
and pretty green everywhere.  peak didnt come until about a month
later.  :-)  the wedding was still great even though the leaves were
green.  :P