Weather conditions leading up to it have been great this year. Apple farmers say that, with the exception of storms on Sunday night, there hasn’t been much hail to ruin the crop.
Even though there was quite a bit of moisture in the spring, trees are running about ten days behind schedule.
WCCO spoke with Chris Aamodt with Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota, about what people who visit his orchard can expect over the next month or so.
“They should expect to have some fun,” he said. “They can pick apples for the next few weeks until we run out. But otherwise, we have apples through the holidays. We’ve got goats, we’ve got wagon rides on weekends. Folks just come out and enjoy all the great food that we have. Plus, they can visit the winery. They can visit our Thor’s Hard Cider. So, there’s a lot going on.”
The peak apple harvest season is on for the next four weeks.
Lisa has been fascinated by the weather all her life. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology with a minor in mathematics from Valparaiso University. She also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, and has the American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation, as well as a NWA Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.
The sweet taste of summer keeps people satisfied at Conny’s Creamy Cone in St. Paul.
“It helps you cool off,” said loyal customer Brian Lulek, as he enjoyed his soft-serve treat.
Cones and shakes are bringing relief as an end-of-season heatwave brings a boost in business.
“Definitely brings the crowds out,” said owner Jeff Audette. “Like last weekend, we had lots of people come down.”
A welcomed sight after a surly start to the month. From Sept. 3 to 7, the temperatures ranged from 11 to 15 degrees below average, with highs barely creeping into the 60s followed by nights in the mid-40s. That had people thinking summer skipped town.
“Another way of looking at it is it might just be kind of the opening act of fall,” said Kenneth Blumenfeld, a climatologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
What defines a “false fall”? There isn’t a specific definition, Blumenfeld said, but loosely it can be described as fall-like weather during the last month of summer. The temperature then heats up to at least average for the time of year.
Conny’s Creamy Cone ice cream shop in St. Paul.
WCCO
This September, people were battling rain drops and brisk air for nearly a week, followed closely by a steamy stretch worthy of ice-cold dessert.
So, how common is “false fall”?
“We usually have a period of cold weather that occurs one to three weeks either ahead of schedule or just ahead of the bulk of that cool weather arriving,” Blumenfeld said. “It’s not every year, but it does happen often.”
Just don’t confuse the current hot stretch as a “second summer.” For that title, there needs to be a stretch of above-average temperatures coming after the first frost of the season.
Only far northeastern Minnesota has woken up to frost so far.
What causes the temperature volatility in September? Blumenfeld said it’s a mix of warm and cold air coming in from opposite directions.
“On one hand, it’s very much the end of summer, which means it’s still very summer-like in regions especially to our south,” he said.
That warm air from the south keeps Minnesota steamy as frigid cold air from up north in Canada cools us down. The temperature clash creates weather whiplash, and storms, having people ready to embrace fall as summer tries to keep from melting away.
“Sometimes when [summer’s] gone, it’s gone,” Lulek said. “And then you don’t get to do this again for, what, six to eight months sometimes. So yeah, you gotta grab [ice cream] while you can.”
Conny’s Creamy Cone — located a few blocks east of Como Lake at the intersection of Maryland Avenue West and Dale Street North — closes for the season on Oct. 18, but Audette said they’ll keep the ice cream churning an extra week if it stays warm next month.
The 2025 leaf peeping season is getting underway with some parts of the U.S. already starting to see fall foliage.
But peak colors are still to come. Using a data model that factors in historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees in a region, trends and user data, travel brand SmokyMountains.com has predicted when trees will reach peak foliage across the country.
Here’s what to expect:
As the season progresses, colors turn earliest in the north and gradually sweep south. The Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes regions and much of the West will reach peak color by mid-October, followed by some states in the South and lower Midwest in late October and early November. Parts of the Deep South, Southern Plains and Florida may not see peak foliage until mid-November.
Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights are the best conditions for vibrant leaf displays, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Regional forecasts
Northeast and Appalachians: Cooler-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation are expected to cause leaves to reach peak color earlier and be more vibrant, forecasters say.
Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West: The weather is expected to be warmer and wetter than normal, which typically pushes color change later and may tone down the vibrancy in lowland areas, though mountains may see early color.
Southeast and Deep South: Warmer but drier conditions may lead to delayed and more subdued foliage, according to forecasters. These areas might see peak color around late October through mid-November.
Fall temperature trends
These regional patterns are part of a broader warming trend.
The fall outlook from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says temperatures are forecast to be above average across the U.S., especially in the Southwest and Northeast. It also predicts less-than-average precipitation across much of the Southwest and Southern Plains with only the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast forecast to have above-average precipitation.
Map shows the Climate Prediction Center’s 2025 fall temperature outlook.
Nikki Nolan
Map shows the Climate Prediction Center’s 2025 fall precipitation outlook.
Nikki Nolan
The fall season has warmed in every county across the contiguous U.S. since 1970. It’s warming fastest in the Southwest, according to a Climate Central analysis based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Fall temperatures have risen in 237 U.S. cities, averaging an increase of 2.8°F from 1970 through 2024. Unusually warm fall days now occur more frequently in 238 cities, or 98% of the 243 cities analyzed.
Now that a cold front has moved through the area, breezy winds and cooler temperatures are here, bringing a taste of fall to Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Highs will be close to 70 degrees on Saturday, about 10 degrees below average. Winds will also be gusting from the northwest at 30 mph. A stray sprinkle can’t be ruled out for Saturday afternoon, and you should expect some puffy clouds during that same timeframe.
Sunday will be slightly cooler, with afternoon highs expected to be in the 60s, marking the first time it’s been that cool for the Minnesota State Fair since 2021 and the coolest August fair day since 2018.
While a stray sprinkle will also be possible Sunday, expect the region to be fairly dry for most of the next week. Temperatures will gradually increase and will be close to 80 degrees by Thursday. As for that Canadian wildfire smoke, it appears air quality won’t be a major issue for the near future.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weather has been a passion for Adam for as long as he can remember! Whether it was thunderstorms or winter storms, Adam has always been geeking out. After earning his meteorology degree from Penn State, he made his way to the Ohio Valley to forecast for WTOV.
Freeport, Maine — In an increasingly outraged America, even the lowly leaf is subject to controversy, with many Americans upset about the hassle of raking and bagging them every fall.
But there is at least one place left in America where pure autumn joy can still be found. It appears annually in Jody Hartman’s front yard in Freeport, Maine, after he piles up his leaves and gives his dog Stella the greenlight to run through them.
“She kind of likes the feeling of it, I think, the sound, maybe, it’s just her little comfort zone,” Hartman said.
Stella started doing this about nine years ago, and a few years after she started, the Hartman family’s other dog, Mabel, also caught the fever.
Hartman’s videos are now extremely popular on social media, which is why he goes to great lengths to make sure his leaf pile lasts as long as possible.
“I was out in the yard with a hair dryer trying to dry them out,” Hartman said. “I have to cover them with my new roof, just leaf maintenance all the time.”
Hartman said his pooches are the priority, having even kept kids from the piles. He explained why the perfect leaves and his dogs’ excitement are so valuable.
“I think in a world where there’s so much noise, especially on social media, it just doesn’t get much more simple and wholesome than a dog just running and jumping in the leaves, he said. “There’s something about it.”
That little periscope of hope, popping out of the chaos, is a reminder that joy is still out there — if you just jump.
Steve Hartman is a CBS News correspondent. He brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he meets in his weekly award-winning feature segment “On the Road.”
As the leaves drop seasonal businesses like Bread & Pickle are packing up. For the last five months, food has been flying out windows, but that is all coming to an end Sunday.
“It’s bittersweet you know,” said Katherine Gladney. Gladney and her family enjoyed the last bite of the season at Saturday afternoon.
Lake Harriet Bandshell is a favorite for her family, and it’s become tradition since they moved into the area to ride their bikes, hang out with friends, and end the night with some bites from Bread & Pickle.
“I love Bread & Pickle-It’s kind of the end of the season so I had to come here and get the ice cream- get the burgers and hang out,” Gladney smiled.
As some of the last orders were placed, David Robinson who runs the place reflected on the highs and lows.
“The 1st third of the season was a mix bag of success and less success these last 10 weeks have been incredibly spectacular,” Robinson said.
A slow rainy start and park board strike that halted concerts at the bandshell was no match for the idyllic summer days.
“We are going out on a really high note,” Robinson smiled.
Surpassing last year’s record sales despite the difficulties.
“Sad at the end of the season- optimistic about the beginning of another season,” Robinson added.
Bread & Pickle closes for the season Sunday at 7 p.m.
MINNEAPOLIS — From sailing to swimming, area lakes were packed with people beating the heat. But it’s technically fall, and many people are confused.
“Usually, I’m wearing sweaters by now but clearly not today,” Marie Peck laughed.
Instead of sweater weather and pumpkin spice, sailing season continues. Jude GawneMark was out Saturday helping people get on the water at Bde Maka Ska.
“We are very blessed with how beautiful it’s been,” GawneMark said.
As a sailing instructor at Minneapolis Sailing Center, she says this extended summer is just what they needed for business.
“It’s way busier than expected a lot of people come up and ask what this is all about and we have a ton of reservation today and tomorrow,” GawneMark said.
From Lakes to restaurants, the warmer weather is leading to increased sales.
“It’s beautiful life is beautiful,” said Jack Estenson.
At French Meadow Bakery and Café, there’s still an appetite for patio season.
“Almost Halloween and I’m still enjoying every little bit of spring basically,” Estenson laughed. “It’s nice to see people in the sunlight with a smile.”
Summer continues with Sunday being a gorgeous day locking in the driest and warmest September on record.
MINNEAPOLIS — Fall colors in Minnesota may be a bit less striking this year due to the effects of the abundance of moisture this summer.
On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its 2024 fall colors forecast. Here’s what to know.
When will fall colors peak in Minnesota?
According to the DNR, fall colors typically peak between mid-to-late September and mid-October.
Colors will begin to change in the northwest portion of the state before working their way to the southeastern corner of the state.
Though it can depend on the location and weather, peak fall colors typically persist in a location for about two weeks.
“Brilliant fall color occurs when early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Brian Schwingle, a DNR forest health specialist.
According to the DNR’s fall color map, colors aren’t expected to change much this year until next Wednesday. Fall colors are expected to fully take over by the end of the month.
How colorful will fall be this year?
DNR officials say the intensity of fall colors may be lessened by the amount of moisture that occurred this summer.
Though the moisture is great for trees, it has also promoted fungal leaf diseases, including for aspen and oak trees.
It’s not concerning for tree health, but the diseases “might reduce the overall brilliance of the landscape” because of the early shedding of leaves, as well as dead spots or blotches on leaves, according to the DNR.
Kelsey Holm took this gorgeous photo from White Sky Rock over Caribou Lake near Lutsen in 2023.
Kelsey Holm
Tips to find fall colors
The DNR’s Fall Color Finder is a good place to start. The tool helps the public track fall colors across the state.
“The DNR’s fall color map has been reliable in recent years,” Schwingle said. “An earlier, lighter frost will shift peak fall color earlier in the fall color window, so pay attention to the forecast if you can be flexible with your travel timing. Regardless of conditions, there should be plenty of beautiful foliage to enjoy.”
You can also sign up for weekly updates, read visitor alerts and check seasonal updates on the DNR website.
“Always check the local weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing and footwear,” the DNR said.
The DNR says to plan for crowds at state parks and recreation areas, especially on weekends. They also recommend bringing binoculars or seeing if you can borrow them from a state park ranger station.
Of course, it’s recommended to bring a camera so you can capture the beautiful views. You can also submit those pictures to be included on the DNR’s fall colors website.
Cole Premo is digital manager for CBS Minnesota. For more than a decade, he’s been covering breaking news and weather, daily topics, stories from the Native community and more in Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS — If Friday’s cloudy and cooler weather has you excited for autumn, you’re not alone.
The start of meteorological fall, Sept. 1, is just about two weeks away and the Climate Prediction Center just released their outlook for the season.
Typically over September, October and November, the Twin Cities has an average temperature of about 49 degrees. If you remember last fall, conditions were well above average, with an average temperature of about 53 degrees.
Fall of 2023 was also wetter than average around the metro, with more than 10 inches of rainfall, compared to the average of 7.21 inches.
Like it or not, October also typically brings our first snow of the season with about 7.5 inches of snow through the end of November. One of the more shocking stats of the season — from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, we lose about four hours of daylight.
A driving factor of this year’s forecast is the fact we’re transitioning away from El Nino into a La Nina. Currently, it’s in a neutral phase, but La Nina is likely by October.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, it is more likely that we’re going to be warmer than average, not just across Minnesota and Wisconsin, but really most of the country.
But when it comes to precipitation in our part of the world, it’s a little tougher to decipher what La Nina is going to mean for us. So it’s more of a toss up with the drier conditions looking to stay farther south.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weather has been a passion for Adam for as long as he can remember! Whether it was thunderstorms or winter storms, Adam has always been geeking out. After earning his meteorology degree from Penn State, he made his way to the Ohio Valley to forecast for WTOV.
Instagram influencer Markie Devo just posted a secret fall 2023 menu from Starbucks that he says he got from an employee.
Starbucks won’t confirm if the leak is real or not, but it’s still causing quite a brewhaha in the coffee world.
According to Devo’s sleuthing, Starbucks will be bringing back some favorites in the fall and serving up a few newcomers to the menu. The coffee giant will also apparently be discontinuing at least one fan favorite.
Returning champions
If the leaked fall menu is accurate, Starbucks will continue to offer its classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato.
Customers will also see the return of the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Owl Cake Pop
New grinds on the block
But Starbucks will also introduce a few new concoctions, including an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and something called an Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte.
New snacks include a Baked Apple Croissant.
See ya latte
Some Starbucks items were grounded. If the rumors are correct, the Pumpkin Scone has gone skedaddle, which caused a few Starbucks aficionados to throw some shade.
“Omg where is the pumpkin scone? I repeat…my favorite scone EVER!” wrote RuRu Rodriguez.
Others complained about the fall menu’s short shelf life, reportedly running from August 29 to November 1.
“November 1st is basically like the second week of fall what the hell,” griped Mr. Party Favors.
