The science behind the lively colors of fall

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) — Over the next couple of weeks, St. Joseph will once again be bursting with the colors of autumn. 

Certain weather conditions are needed to make the colors of fall, such as yellow, red and orange, appear. Cooler days, sunshine and moderate rainfall help prevent leaves from turning dry and brown. 

Fall foliage usually peaks in mid-October, but the recent dry spell and hotter days could keep leaves from reaching their full color potential, and may cause trees to drop them early. The ideal temperature for color change is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Leaves changing colors during autumn is based on three different pigments that leaves contain. 

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, chlorophyll gives leaves a basic green color and is a necessity for photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugars and starches for trees. 

Carotenoids -- which are always present in the leaf but are 'hidden' by the chlorophyll -- provide yellows and oranges. They are the same pigments that turn carrots orange and daffodils yellow. 

The red and purple colors of fall are different, they form when sugars are produced during warm days and then trapped in leaves during cool nights. 

The trapped sugars change into anthocyanins, which appear as shades of red and purple. 

News-Press NOW will update this story.