Fall color peaking in D.C. metro region

Fall color nearing peak in Poolesville, Maryland just over a week ago. (CWG reader Jack Toomey ) For those within about 20 miles of the District, you won’t need to leave your backyard for some of the region’s best fall color this weekend.

Peak color has reached the Virginia piedmont, central Maryland and locations right up to and slightly east of the I-95 corridor.

The Virginia Department of Forestry reports: “Significant color change can be seen in the [Virginia] Piedmont. Most tree species are at full color with some species of oaks lagging a little bit. Many areas are approaching peak color.”

Fall colors start to emerge in Cleveland Park in the District Sunday. (Ian Livingston) If you’re planning to be in the Shenadoah, Virginia.org says last week’s snow caused leaves to fall and caused some tree damage, but that “splashes of gold” can still be found in the lower elevations of the north and south sections of the Park.

At the other of end the state towards the coast, VDOF notes: “East of Richmond in the Coastal Plain of Virginia, patchy color change can be seen, and fall color can be found on the Peninsula.”

Before last weekend’s snow, a number of Capital Weather Gang contributors sent in some great fall foliage photos, particularly from Frederick and Fauquier counties and to the west. See some examples below.

Here’s one more call to submit your best fall foliage photos. Post to our Facebook page and/or on Twitter. (As a last resort, you may email to weather AT washpost.com). We will post some of our favorites in the next week.

Related: See the fall colors close to home | Colors of fall gallery | Arts Post fall color photography submissions
Last foliage update from two weeks ago: Fall foliage peaking within an hour of Washington, D.C.