DES MOINES, Iowa - With more rain and even snow in the forecast this coming week, this weekend could be the best chance to see fall colors in Iowa.
The colors are beautiful, but not as bright as some years.
"Because of the high moisture content, the leaf colors are not nearly as bright and vibrant as they typically are in other years, when it's drier in the fall." Bill Frommelt, Mayor of Guttenberg, Iowa, north of Dubuque tells KCRG-TV 9 in Cedar Rapids. But, still, he says it's a beautiful drive.
The most recent Iowa Department of Natural Resources fall color report, by region:
10/21/19 NE Iowa When viewed from a landscape level, the northeast corner of Iowa is now at its peak fall color. The sugar maples and aspen are at their most brilliant. Some species are starting to subside such as the sumac, elm, basswood, cottonwood and hackberry. The late changing oaks are now switching on their fall colors of reds and golden browns. There should be plenty of color this coming weekend to enjoy a leisurely leaf peeping trip. Oct. 20th
10/21/19 NC and NW Iowa Black and sugar maple trees are very colorful and are near their peak. Many oaks are changing to yellow and orange colors. Dogwoods and sumac are still brilliant red. Leaf drop on certain trees just started in the last few days. Mid-October
10/21/19 Central and East Central Iowa Hard maples are nearly at peak now in the Iowa River Greenbelt. With the oaks just getting underway and some yellow lingering from the earlier trees, prime fall colors are happening right now and will persist over the next 5-10 days. Go find a State Park and enjoy it while it lasts. Oct 19
10/21/19 SE Iowa This coming weekend should be a great weekend for fall colors. The overall landscape is still green but changing fast. Walnut, cottonwood, black cherry, ash, hickory, and elms are starting to turn yellow and drop a few leaves. Maple is showing some yellow and red. Some sumac, poison ivy, and dogwoods showing some reds, and purples. Oct 20
10/21/19 SCentral Iowa The fall color is looking great! The oak is starting to turn. White ash is deep purple. Bottomland species such as walnut, silver maple, and hackberry are yellow and falling. Great color starting in the hard maples - oranges and reds. Hickory is golden yellow to deep rusty orange. Shrubs along forest edges are reds and purples. Peak is here as oak continues to change! Mid- Late October
10/21/19 WC and SW Iowa Prime viewing for fall colors will be this week. Our oaks have started to change so it won’t be long until the leave begin to fall. Bottomland cottonwoods are brilliant yellow. Red oaks and hickories will be at their peak by the end of the week. Prairie grasses have also started to change with some colorful shrubs
CLICK HERE Nebraska Game and Parks Commission blogs about fall colors every year.
Fall color photo by Wendy Wilde. Iowa fall color map by Travel Iowa.