DES MOINES, Iowa — Fall is here — well, at least on Tuesday it will be!
As we transition into autumn, you'll notice the leaves are beginning to change color.
For 2020, it's possible the foliage will be especially bright.
"When we have drought conditions like this, and it's dry, and we have cool nights, and warm sunny days just like we're experiencing now- that really sets us up for an extended long period of really bright, vibrant colors," said Jeff Goerdnt, the state forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
This is a far better setup for leaf-peepers, as cold and rainy weather typically leads to more muted colors or premature leaf drop.
Unfortunately, the Aug. 10 derecho will lead to less vibrant colors in areas most affected by the storm. This is largely because so many trees were uprooted or significantly damaged during the event.
Leaves get their green color from chlorophyll, a pigment that produces food for plants.
As days become shorter and temperatures drop in the fall, the chlorophyll starts to break down. This allows the reds, yellows, and oranges to shine. Those fun colors are always present, but they're usually obscured by the sharp green tint from the chlorophyll.
The colors peak in just a few weeks across northern Iowa, while it'll be closer to the end of October for southern Iowa.
Either way, it's a welcome sight for Iowans looking to get outdoors this fall, especially to escape the daily stress of COVID-19.
The Iowa DNR says there was a major boom in visitors to state parks and natural sites over the summer, thanks to the pandemic.
Goerndt said they anticipate a spike in people heading out to experience Iowa's fall beauty, too.