The colors of fall foliage are important to many Minnesotans, and timing for peak colors is wrapping up in the northern portion of the state. But future generations may get to enjoy those vibrant colors later in the year.

MPR Chief Meteorologist Ben Cathey spoke with Brian Schwingle, forest health program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to see how climate change is delaying when leaves change.

“Peak color since the late ’60s up until 2025 has delayed about almost two weeks,” Schwingle said. “There are two main factors that control leaf color change: day length ... and temperature in the fall. Temperature, specifically minimum night temperatures in September and October.”

The delayed timing doesn't necessarily mean Minnesota's fall color season will become shorter. But as autumn temperatures continue to warm, the state's annual display is likely to keep arriving later in the year.

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Runners can expect seasonably cool temperatures for the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon. But the early October tradition will be moving back a week starting next year. Race officials have stated health concerns due to heat as a reason for the change.

Between 1961 and 1990, October temperatures never touched 90 degrees in the Twin Cities. But, since 2010, there has been two instances of 90-degree temperatures in October. And now it’s twice as likely to hit temperatures over 80 degrees than 50 years ago.

MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard spoke with distance runner Jeff Denney and Jacob Kastner, the medical co-director of the Twin Cities Marathon, about how a changing climate is impacting long distance runners.

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