Vibrant fall foliage coming to Missouri, 2024 forecast says. Here’s the best time to see
As summer transitions to fall around Kansas City, you can start to see the leaves change colors. The trees will gradually change from green to bright red, yellow or orange as the weather cools down.
Kansas City residents won’t have to go far to see vibrant fall foliage in 2024, according to AccuWeather forecasts.
The weather forecasting company predicts vibrant fall foliage in 20 states this year. including Missouri and Kansas. Missouri in particular is expected to have vivid colors.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a statement that the vibrant leaves will most likely be found in a zone that stretches from the interior Northeast and Great Lakes through the Mississippi River Valley.
“We are forecasting the best places to go are in the Midwest,” Pastelok said in a statement. “The trees should have nice reds and oranges and that could extend all the way down to parts of the Ozarks and parts of southern Missouri.”
The region’s leaves are expected to be vibrant because it experienced consistent rainfall throughout the spring and summer. Pastelok says abnormally dry or drought conditions can put stress on the trees, leading to either duller colors in autumn or a shortened fall foliage season with leaves falling off the trees early.
Pastelok also said that too much rain can hurt the foliage.
“If there’s a lot of rain in the late summer and early fall, you can get mold to develop on some of the trees and also invite lots of insects,” Pastelok said.
When does the fall foliage reach its peak in Kansas City?
Kansas Citians will have to wait another month before seeing the trees’ peak colors. AccuWeather’s forecast predicts the peak will take place in mid-October. Farther south in Missouri and Kansas, it might take until late October or early November.
Pastelok said if you want to take a trip to see peak colors, you should start planning now since hotels and other places to stay get booked fast. But if you’re staying local, here are a few spots to go see the fall colors:
The vibrant and warm trees make it the perfect destination for picnics or walks around the 75 acres. The rose garden near the playground gives the public park a little extra flair.
Kansas City’s botanical garden offers a wide variety of sights across its 915 acres. Journey to the barn silo to take in a view of fall color treetops as far as the eye can see. Observe seasonal favorites, such as the native beautyberry shrub, throughout the Island Garden, Perennial Garden, Rock and Waterfall Garden, and Wildflower Meadow.
It’s open every Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 3. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for children ages 5-12.
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The garden offers color year-round, making this a prime location for fall lovers. The wildflowers decorating the hillsides and the warm hues of sumac and persimmon throughout the grounds are a sample of the variety the arboretum has in store.
The trails offer visitors the opportunity to view over 300 acres and 1,700 unique plant species.
Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. It’s free for kids under age 6.
The traffic on Ward Parkway can make it a nightmare to drive on, but the street offers a great view of the leaves changing. The boulevards with the center islands, the mature, established trees, and the houses surrounding the 12-mile run make this a worthy destination for sightseeing.
Closed to motorized vehicles, Cliff Drive is the optimal place for fall walks and bike rides. Let the wind flow by as you marvel at the limestone bluffs, natural vegetation and wildlife. It’s a scene only available at George E. Kessler Park.
The public byway is more than 4 miles long, starting from The Paseo and Independence Avenue and going through Indian Mound on Gladstone Boulevard at Belmont Boulevard.
This story was originally published September 5, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
