IOWA — Fall is finally here, and experts say this year’s colors are expected to be vibrant in Iowa.
According to AccuWeather, vibrant leaves depend on a few factors — a healthy growing season, cool nights and sunny days, and minimal disruption. This year Iowa saw steady rainfall during the spring and for the first time in several years, didn’t experience intense drought.
Every year the Iowa Department of Natural Resources releases a weekly report that details where fall colors are showing up across the state. On Wednesday, the DNR released its first report of the season.
| Area | Fall Color Description | Peak Viewing |
| Northcentral and northwest Iowa | Cottonwood, black walnut, and red maples are starting to change colors. | Third-fourth week of October |
| Central Iowa | Fall colors are starting to appear but are spotty. Roughly 10-15% of foliage showing colors, specifically maple, sumac, dogwood, Virginia creeper vines, walnut, cottonwood, basswood, elm, and hackberry. | October 18 – 25 |
| Southeast Iowa | Mostly bottomland species are starting to turn. Cottonwood, walnut, elm, dogwoods, shrubs also starting to turn. | October 20 |
| Southcentral Iowa | Walnut, cottonwood, shrubs, and vines are starting to show color. | October 18 – 25 |
| Southwest Iowa | Cottonwood, white ash, maple trees, upland shrubs are starting to turn. | Third to fourth week of October |
You can sign up to receive the report in a weekly email on the DNR’s website.
To celebrate the turning of the leaves the City of Des Moines is holding a contest. The Forestry Division’s Fall Tree Photo Contest encourages residents who snap a photo of the beautiful fall foliage to submit it for the chance to choose a new tree to be planted along a city street. For more information about the contest visit the city’s website.
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