It's been a long, hot summer with plenty of rain for the Carolinas. That combo means we've seen lots of foliage growth on the wide range of trees, shrubs, and flowers our state can host. In fact, it's inside the leaves' cells that a chemical called "chlorophyll" absorbs sunlight. That light energy is then converted to food for the plant to "consume".

Now, chlorophyll contains a dominant green pigment. That is why the vast majority of leaves are green. That said, leaves contain other chemicals that exhibit different color pigments such as yellow, orange, and red.

But in the fall, cooler temperatures and less daylight cause the leaves to stop their food making process. As a result, the chlorophyll breaks down and the green pigment fades away. That allows the other colors to shine through.

So, prepare to enjoy the fall color this year. Fall officially begins on September 23 even though peak color in the Carolinas typically occurs in mid to late October.