DES MOINES, Iowa — The red, orange, and yellow hues of fall are delayed for Iowa this year, but the Department of Natural Resources has an estimate for when the new peak weeks are this fall.

With perfect conditions, the Iowa DNR lists the following for usual peak weeks in the state:

• Northern Iowa: last week of September to second week of October
• Central Iowa: first through third weeks in October
• Southern Iowa: second through fourth weeks in October

Chip Murrow, the Urban Forestry Program Specialist for the department, said Iowa is roughly one week behind this schedule.

Murrow estimates that Northern Iowa will now peak in the second week of October. Central Iowa may now peak in the third week of October, and Southern Iowa will see its peak in the last week of October.

Murrow said the reason why fall colors are delayed is due to the warm autumn season. He said the warmer days made the trees think they’re still in summer.

Apart from temperature, Murrow said there are several factors that can impact when fall colors begin and how long they last. This includes elements like hours of daylight, amount of rainfall, and even how early frost comes.

“Actually, I was kind of excited for this year because we had the right amount of rainfall in the summer and spring, that I was expecting good fall color. It’s just this warmer fall has kind of thrown things off,” said Murrow.

During the peak weeks, Murrow said the best location for Iowans to travel to is Northeast Iowa. One location visitors can head to is Pikes Peak State Park. In Central Iowa, Murrow said Boone is a common destination for fall colors. Plus, in Southern Iowa, Murrow said he recommends state forests. This includes destinations like the Stephens State Forest in Chariton.

Since fall colors are starting later, Murrow said they may not last as long. Plus, an early frost may also shorten how long fall colors remain.