World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Leaves Fall Before Turning Color at South Korea’s Baegyangsa Temple
Many leaves at Baegyangsa in Jangseong fell before changing color during this year’s autumn foliage season.
Some trees at lower elevations turned red, but higher slopes and the middle of Baegamsan remain mostly green.
Officials said warm weather last month delayed the start of the color change.
A sharp drop in temperature, rain and strong winds in early November then caused leaves to fall before they could turn.
Autumn colors normally begin at higher elevations and move downhill as temperatures fall.
The result is less colorful foliage than usual around Baegyangsa, where leaves were abundant at this time last year.
Nearby Mudeungsan National Park is different, with about 80% of its foliage changed and conditions described as similar to usual.
Leaves at higher elevations around Baegyangsa Temple in South Korea fell before turning autumn colors, leaving much of the area green.
Some leaves changed color in lower areas near the temple, but the slopes from Baekhab Peak to the mountain’s middle remained blue-green.
Officials attributed the unusual pattern to high temperatures last month followed by a sharp temperature drop, rain and strong winds in early November.
The Baegam office said it observed less autumn color than at the same time in previous years.
- Who
- Trees around Baegyangsa Temple in Jangseong County were affected.
- What
- Leaves fell before turning color, leaving less autumn foliage than usual.
- When
- The leaf fall occurred in early November 2026.
- Where
- Around Baegyangsa Temple on Baekamsan, in Jangseong County, South Korea.
- Why
- Officials attributed it to high temperatures in October, followed by a sharp temperature drop, rain and strong winds in early November.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
High temperatures continued, delaying the start of autumn leaf coloring.
Rainfall of 22.5 millimeters was recorded in the region.
The average temperature fell from 10.8 degrees Celsius to 5.4 degrees in one day, while winds were strong.
Rain fell again as leaves were dropping before turning color.
Leaves around Baegyangsa fell before coloring.
Photographs showed green trees at higher elevations around Baegyangsa.
- Location
- Baegyangsa area, Jangseong County
- Affected mountain
- Baekamsan
- Temperature change
- 10.8°C on Nov. 5 to 5.4°C on Nov. 6
- Rainfall
- 22.5 millimeters on Nov. 1
- Comparison
- The Baegam office observed less autumn color than at the same time in previous years
- Other park
- About 80% of trees at Mudeungsan National Park had changed color, with foliage described as similar to usual
1 source
What people are saying
Last year around this time, the autumn leaves were abundant and at their peak.
This year, the leaves fell before they had enough time to change color, making the scene different from previous years.