Iowa DNR image

Summer officially ends and fall arrives this weekend with the autumnal equinox.

Saturday is the first day of autumn. Leaves are beginning to turn colors and according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources the peak viewing time for leaf colors will be October 20th. The southern third of the state’s best viewing time is typically the second through fourth weeks in October. Currently in southeast Iowa some ash, cottonwood, and walnut are starting to show yellow. Purple is beginning to show in white ash and dogwood leaves.