Autumn Colors to Peak in Late October

Flaming autumn foliage has begun to appear on the flanks of Mt. Seorak in Gangwon Province, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Thursday. 

The KMA usually announces the start of the season when around 20 percent of the mountain is covered with autumn leaves, and the leaves started to change a day earlier than last year and a day later than the average. 

Koreans are fascinated with the minutiae of the autumn foliage, and following the changing colors around the country is a family sport.  

Temperatures start fluctuating markedly in Korea in mid-September and the autumn foliage means fall has arrived. Autumn colors usually peak 20 days after they starting or when 80 percent of a mountainside is covered in autumn foliage. 

Last year it peaked late on Mt. Seorak, around Oct. 26, some 10 days later than on average, and the Korea Forest Service projects this year's colors will peak on Oct. 24.