This might be a great weekend for a Minnesota road trip.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the fall colors are just now hitting their peak across the northern third of the state. Across the central and southern thirds, the trees are just starting to approach that. Your eyes are probably telling you the same thing.
According to historical dates, they are changing right on time. Across the central portion of Minnesota including the metro area, late September through mid-October is usually the peak of that change.
The National Forest Service explains the science behind the brilliant colors we see each fall. Long nights are the main contributors to the leaves changing color, but weather also plays a role.Temperature and moisture are the main influences. A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays.
The amount of moisture in the soil also affects autumn colors. Like the weather, soil moisture varies greatly from year to year. The countless combinations of these two highly variable factors assure that no two autumns can be exactly alike. A late spring, or a severe summer drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. A warm period during fall will also lower the intensity of autumn colors. A warm wet spring, favorable summer weather, and warm sunny fall days with cool nights should produce the most brilliant autumn colors.
The North Shore of Lake Superior has been flooded with tourists all summer and there are very few (if any) rooms to be found there this fall. In fact, it's been so busy up there, many of the locals have complained about the mess that has been left behind.
Luckily, we have a big state surrounding us and there are plenty of other great places to visit. Last summer, the WCCO Radio Newsroom took to a number of spots around the state in our series of One Tank Trips here.