Colors peeping out; Vibrant red, orange provide the `wow factor'.

Byline: Bill Fortier

With today's high temperature predicted to be near 80 degrees, it would seem to be the perfect weather for the first day of summer.

But today is the first full day of fall, and tomorrow could be just as warm.

Fall, by the way, started yesterday at 5:18 p.m.

Charles Foley, a meteorologist in the Taunton office of the National Weather Service, explained yesterday that the high pressure system that brought the recent clear, cool days has moved off the coast, allowing southerly winds to bring warmer, more humid weather into the region. That change in the weather caused yesterday morning's low cloudiness and fog that weather forecasters say should greet early risers this morning.

While many think ahead to pumpkins, frost, and brilliant red and orange leaves in the fall, for many area residents, the summer months - especially June and July - though meteorologically memorable, were months to forget.

For example, the high temperature on the first day of summer was 63 degrees and the area that day was in the midst of a 12-day stretch of weather in which rain was recorded each day. Both June and July were several degrees cooler and much cloudier than usual and nearly 11 inches of rain fell in July, which is about 8 inches above average.

August and September, so far, have been much drier. However, this summer was the first since 2004 when Worcester Regional Airport didn't record a 90-degree high temperature.

Many people may be saying bring on the fall, and this past weekend we got a taste of it with sunny, crisp days with cobalt blue skies and cool nights with a star-filled sky. Next we will see the trees change color.

Michael J. Arnum, director of marketing and public relations at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, said it looks as if it's going to be a good season in Central Massachusetts. He said the leaves on the maples in the area are already turning red. He also said some of the shrubs are showing their fall colors.

"The trees have had ample moisture this summer and it was evenly spread out so they weren't under stress. The days recently have been sunny and cool and the days are shortening so the leaves are getting the message," he said.

Meanwhile, Ray E. Smith, vice president of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau in Adams, said the organization's "leaf chief," naturalist Lauren Stevens, is predicting a colorful fall in Western Massachusetts. Mr. Smith said Mr. Stevens, who has been writing about foliage for many years, reported that the heavy rain in the first half of the summer provided plenty of nourishment for the leaves.

"It looks like there is going to be a lot of red, orange and yellow this year. It seems like it's going to be a big year for sugar maples and red maples," Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Smith said while some years see the leaves turn a rust-like color that provides scenic views, the vibrant red and orange leaves are what people remember.

"Those colors give you what I call the `wow factor,'" Mr. Smith said, adding several frosty mornings near his home in Williamstown have moved the colors along.

Meanwhile, Brimfield forestry consultant W. Scott Gerrish said yesterday he isn't sure how this summer's weather is affecting the foliage, although he isn't as hopeful as those in the tourist industry.

"I don't think the leaves are as brilliant as you would hope they would be," he said. "It seems like a slow change to me, but not as brilliant. It seems to me the leaves are going from green to brown but they aren't popping like they usually do."

Eric F. Seaborn, coordinator of the urban and community forestry program for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, said the indicators he relies on point to a colorful fall.

"We've had a lot of rain and that contributes to full leaf size and there's lots of moisture in the soil," he said.

ART: PHOTOS; MAP

PHOTOG: (P) T&G Staff/TOM RETTIG; (M) T&G Staff/DON LANDGREN JR.

CUTLINE: (1) Kamala Anand, 19-month-old Annabelle Anand and 8-year-old Priscilla Anand, all of West Boylston, take a break at a picnic table at Rota Spring Homemade Ice Cream stand in Sterling yesterday. Signs of autumn can be seen in the changing colors of the trees. (2) Marsha Johnston of Berlin picks globe amaranth flowers at the Indian Head Farm in Berlin yesterday. (M) Approximate peak foliage timetable