Parts Of Oklahoma Will See Vibrant Fall Foliage This Year

Leaves are falling all around Oklahoma, but the true red, yellow and orange colors of fall have yet to arrive. Oklahoma doesn't usually see the leaves turn fall colors until early November. And this year, experts are predicting that several parts of Oklahoma will see vibrant fall foliage this season.

According to the fall foliage forecast from AccuWeather, the vibrancy of fall foliage all falls on the weather an area experiences in summer and early fall. Consistent rainfall is one of the key factors to vibrant fall foliage - not too much and not too little rainfall, that is. Also, sunny days and cool nights lend to the enhancement of fall foliage colors.

Experts are predicting that the best areas for fall foliage in 2024 will be from the Great Lakes through the Mississippi River Valley, and in a dozen other states. One of those states that is expected to have vibrant fall foliage is Oklahoma.

When does Oklahoma start to see fall colors?

Oklahomans may start to see the leaves change colors in mid-October. But Oklahoma's peak fall foliage time is early November.

American Forests, a nonprofit conservation organization in the United States, hosts an interactive fall foliage prediction map. The map shows that parts of the panhandle and northern Oklahoma are the ones who begin to see the leaves change first. As the days creep closer to Halloween, more and more areas of Oklahoma start to see shades of yellow, orange and red. Then by the time November arrives, most of Oklahoma is at peak season.

Where will the most vibrant fall foliage be in Oklahoma?

If you're wanting to see the most vibrant fall foliage in Oklahoma, AccuWeather is predicting that parts of southeast, eastern and a bit of northeast Oklahoma are the places to go.

Of course, this includes the Talimena National Scenic Byway, which is known all over Oklahoma as having the best fall foliage views. Last year, the best dates for fall foliage viewing in this area was Nov. 4-19, which might be about the same timeframe for peak fall foliage this year.