At 4,392 m (14,410 ft) high, Mt. Rainier volcano reaches its peak of Indian Summer fall colors around early to mid-October.
Being located at 46.9° northern latitude in the Cascade Range, the stratovolcano is only 180 km (111 miles) from the Pacific Ocean coastline. Therefore, the vast amount of precipitation carried inland by Pacific Ocean weather systems has a direct impact on the Cascade Range and nourishes temperate rainforests at low elevations as well as bushes, trees, and wildflowers at high elevations. The annual amount of precipitation is above 2,100 mm (82 ft) and occurs mainly during the cold season. The volcano receives up to 28 m (93.5 ft) of snow each year, which explains its heavily glaciated peak. However, even these glaciers are retreating under Earth’s warming climate.
The fall season causes rapid day-to-day variations in temperature and weather, and a sunny, warm day can be followed by 50 cm (20 inches) of fresh snow and blowing, ice-cold winds. Every night, the temperature drops below freezing, turning the leaves into a burst of colors.
