Fall colours are starting to show in Toronto, but we'll have to be patient in waiting for the majestic displays that come when foliage reaches peak saturation. While areas to north like Algonquin Park are exploding with colour right now, it's still early days for the city. Fall foliage won't begin to be noteworthy until the midway point of the month.

Right now, the upper Don Valley is showing about 20 per cent colour change, while the Lower Don is at 10 per cent. It's going to take a while before we start to see a full blown shift to fall colours in the city. The weekend of October 14-16 is looking like it will be the first excellent opportunity to get out there for a fall hike and foliage viewing.

That puts us on roughly the same track as last year in terms of colour change, but there is one major difference to be aware of. On account of the terribly dry summer we had, climatologists are predicting the window to view fall foliage might be shorter this year. The lack of rain takes it toll on trees, and they will likely shed their leaves quicker than normal.

In other words, when they do turn, you'll want to get out and see them pronto. Your best bet for tracking colour change is to check Ontario Parks fall foliage reports for sites near Toronto like Bronte Creek and Darlington. While the timing of peak colours can vary by microclimate, these nearby sites are solid indicators.

As far as day trips go, major cottage country areas like Muskoka, Haliburton, and the Kawarthas are already showing good colour with maple trees offering bright dashes of orange and red. The next two weekends are the best bets to head north for fall colours, while regions like Niagara will come from mid October to the end of the month.

Photo by ~EvidencE~ in the blogTO Flickr pool.