Much of central Maryland is seeing brilliant fall color. Higher elevations of western Maryland have have already seen fall color peak, according to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

In the latest fall foliage report, the Eastern Shore and areas closer to the Atlantic coastline are starting to see more vibrant yellows, oranges and reds.

More than half of the state is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. Some trees changed color earlier than normal due to stress from abnormally dry conditions, according to the DNR. 

The science behind fall foliage 

Weather trends can lead to bountiful fall foliage. A wetter spring or summer, followed by warm, sunny days and cool nights at the end of the summer, is ideal for beautiful fall colors. 

The leaves change color when diminishing sunlight and cooler temperatures cause the trees to stop producing chlorophyll, the component that makes leaves green. 

Some areas of the country, like the Colorado Rockies, have already passed local fall foliage peak. 

Fall foliage in Maryland 

In Maryland, rainfall diminished in late summer after a wet period between spring and early summer. 

The drought conditions across the state have accelerated the changing leaves in the higher elevations of Western Maryland. 

Color has already peaked in the Blue Ridge and Allegany Mountains.

In the Baltimore region, the trees are expected to reach their most vibrant color around Halloween weekend, and color should peak by the end of the first week of November along the Eastern Shore. 

Catoctin Mountain State Park, Swallow Falls State Park and Deep Creek Lake State Park are some of the best places to view vibrant fall colors in the higher elevations of western Maryland. 

Patapsco Valley State Park is an option just west of Baltimore, as well as the Gwynn Falls Trail area in Baltimore. 

Tuckahoe State Park, near Queen Anne, Maryland, is known for pretty fall scenes on the eastern shore. Here is Maryland's state park directory. 

Share your fall foliage photos with us by emailing newsroom@wjz.com, or tagging us on Instagram.