Fall officially began Sunday at 8:44 a.m., when the sun was directly over the equator. WRAL meteorologists captured the exact moment it happened using GOES-16 satellite imagery.
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This is an indication of the rapid loss of daylight we see this time of year. As of the equinox, most of the area experienced 12 hours and 8 minutes of daylight.
That only goes down over the next four-to-six weeks, which is when we typically see the peak of fall foliage.
According to Explore Fall, who WRAL recently featured, the average peak of fall colors in our area is in early November.
It all has to do with that long word you were forced to spell in elementary school - photosynthesis.
The more sunlight there is, the more energy is given to a plant. Chlorophyll gives it that green pigment. As we change seasons, the sun lowers in the sky and becomes less intense. When this happens, the transport of necessary fluids is choked off. New color pigments are then produced, leading to fall colors.
Another key part to photosynthesis is water. While it's been exceptionally wet, some of the more favored locations for fall foliage (ie. the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains) have not experienced as much rainfall.
This is leading to stress on the leaves, and many are either changing prematurely or dropping.
As for the next seven days, Explore Fall is forecasting more changes along those favored mountains and foothills. That's especially the case as you head toward some of those favored western slopes like Snowshoe, West Virginia.
As the seasons change and the colors follow suit, we'd love to see your pictures!
Send those here through WRAL Weather Watchers for a chance to be featured on air or on pugongyingbo.com.