Oct 08, 2024

With the on-again, off-again drought, when will fall colors peak in Iowa?

Posted Oct 08, 2024 2:37 PM

(Radio Iowa) - An expert from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says peak viewing for the fall colors in northern Iowa will likely start late this week and run through October 20th.

Peak viewing across central Iowa is usually a week or so behind, and may run through the third to fourth week in October, while southern Iowa may see good color into November. D-N-R forester Joe Herring, who's based in Iowa Falls, says maples steal the show, with bright reds, yellows and oranges, while oaks bring color later in the season when many other trees have lost their leaves.

Herring says this latest stretch of dry weather should -not- dim the fall color show, in fact, he says the dry weather may help improve the autumn colors.