The best places to see the stunning fall colors this year will be outside of the northeastern United States and instead, right here in Missouri.
Accuweather meteorologist Paul Paselok, who put together the list of top states to visit the fall colors, said that the Show Me State is unusual this year because of its right mix of rain and dry weather.
“Because we’ve had so much drought and heat to contend with during the course of the summer season. You remember last year- I mean, the heat dome was sitting right over Texas and the Southern Plains states. And so, it didn’t have a chance. It didn’t, you know, as far as having good colors last year. So this year, a much different story,” he told Missourinet. “We’ve averaged anywhere from 90 to 100% normal rainfall over the summer season, and that’s a good start. The trees are nice and healthy. They’re not stressed out. And then we got into this dry period. And if you look at most of the research, that it’s generally the great, great conditions that set up for a very nice fall foliage.”
Paselok said the northeastern United States has been rather soggy this year, so the colors are not expected to be as nice as in Missouri and other parts of the Midwest.
What region of the state is the best place to check out fall’s beauty?
“I think the northern part, I think from Kansas City, the St. Louis on northward, getting into parts of Iowa and Illinois. I think that area right there should be flying,” said Paselok. I think they should be good. And I think you should see brighter oranges and reds more frequent in the region.”
Paselok expects the show to begin in October and continue throughout the month. The peak colors are expected to pop in mid-to-late October.
He said the western United States will be “hit and miss” for fall colors. The Great Lakes region and interior northeastern United States could have some bright colors as well.
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