POCONO TOWNSHIP -- Some early signs of fall can be seen throughout the Poconos. The leaves are starting to change colors.
With the dry weather we have had this summer, some trees might look a little less colorful than others, but the scenery is expected to be just fine.
For Nancy Alexander from Tannersville, fall is her favorite time of year. With only eight days left until we officially start the season, she and her family decided to take in the early signs of it at Big Pocono State park near Tannersville.
"I'm excited, yes, of course!" said Alexander. "I love the cool weather and the breeze and I am not looking forward to the snow but I love the cool weather and the colorful leaves."
And she isn't the only one. The fall foliage in the Poconos attracts thousands of tourists each year.
But with this summer's dry weather, will those bright, beautiful colors be at risk?
"As we know, we didn't have as much moisture as we should, but hopefully it won't hurt, but it's still going to be beautiful," said Vladimar Stefanik of Long Pond.
You might notice right now on some trees that the leaves are brown; they look like they are dying and not all that fall-like, but state forestry officials tell us that can happen. It all depends on the tree and how old it is but there are plenty more around and they will eventually change colors.
"It's really hard to say. It kind of depends on the tree itself," said DCNR forester Garrett Beers. "Some trees have a tendency to turn a little faster than others. Kind of like people, they are all a little different. Like hair color, some can be a shade of red, pink, orange but fall is going to happen when it chooses to."
For those who like to see all the tourists taking in the sights, they think they will still come to visit and still get a glimpse of some real beauty.
"Absolutely, I mean, how can you not? From here all the way to Wind Gap it's just gorgeous," added Stefanik.
According to the fall forecast from the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, between five and ten percent of the leaves have started changing. The projected peak color is mid-October.
