DES MOINES, Iowa — The first ten days of fall across central Iowa brought warm, summer-like weather, but experts say those hot and dry and conditions could impact fall foliage.
Right now, at least 93% of the state is considered abnormally dry or worse, according to the current Iowa drought map.
Timothy Hall, a hydrology resources coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says dry conditions can dim and delay leaf color change, since they will brown quicker.
"You can get some foliage drop when it's drier. A lot of times, temperature drives foliage color," Hall said.
The Iowa DNR found that September's dry conditions were record breaking, beating out 1939 for the driest September ever.
Getting outside and seeing the red and yellow hues among the trees is a popular autumn activity, but these conditions may set up a shorter fall foliage season.
Hall hopes that will encourage people to get outside and enjoy the color changes while they last.
"Even if the foliage isn't in peak color, it's a great time to get out and see state parks and county parks and outdoor areas, biking and hiking," he told Local 5.
Each week, the Iowa DNR release its "fall color report" as a way to track fall colors across the state. Peak viewing periods for separate areas were released in this week's report.
- NE Iowa: Oct. 10-20
- NC and NW Iowa: Mid-October
- Central Iowa: Oct. 19-20
- SE Iowa: Oct. 20
- SW Iowa: Early to mid-October
- SC Iowa: No report yet
- WC Iowa: No report yet
To sign up for the fall color report, click here.