NASA Satellite Captures Earliest Fall Foliage of 2026 Over Nunavut Tundra
NASA's Landsat 9 satellite imagery has revealed the vibrant autumn hues in Canada's northern regions, while much of North America remains lush and green. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) captured images of the Coppermine River near Kugluktuk, Nunavut, on July 27, 2026, showcasing bright greens, and again on September 6, when it transformed into a sea of orange. Despite a scorching summer across North America, the arrival of shorter days and cooler nights has ushered in autumn in the subarctic tundra, characterized by willow, birch shrubs, and low-lying berries. Research from NASA and South Dakota State University indicates that early September sees vegetation turning red, orange, and yellow, peaking by mid-month, making it one of North America’s earliest displays of fall colors.
Key facts
- NASA's Landsat 9 satellite captured fall foliage in Nunavut, Canada, using its Operational Land Imager (OLI) from 438 miles (705 kilometers) above Earth
- Images of the Coppermine River at Kugluktuk were taken on July 27, 2026, and September 6, 2026
- The July image showed vibrant greens while the September image showed a blanket of orange
- NASA and South Dakota State University analyzed seven years of satellite data on the region's vegetation
- Vegetation in the area turns red, orange, and yellow each year in early September, peaking mid-month
- Far northerly regions have shorter peak-color periods, sometimes a week or less
- Peak color typically arrives in Vermont, New York, and Maine in late September and early October
- Higher elevations experience foliage season sooner than lower elevations
Entities
Artists
- Albert Dros
Institutions
- NASA
- South Dakota State University
- Landsat 9
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Nunavut
- Canada
- Coppermine River
- Kugluktuk
- Maine
- Vermont
- New York
- United States
- North America