Posted on Thu, Oct. 22, 2009

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Today, colors will fall

BY STAN FINGER

The Wichita Eagle

The curtain may fall today on the opening act of a particularly vibrant autumn foliage season in the Wichita area, brought down by the same storm system that dumped several inches of snow in parts of northwest Kansas.

While no snow is expected in Wichita, forecasters say gusty winds topping 25 miles an hour could well strip leaves from trees that have already turned colors.

"It's going to bring some of them down, that's for sure," KWCH meteorologist Ross Janssen said.

A raw, rainy, windy day with temperatures hovering in the 40s is forecast for Wichita today. The storm was expected to drop about six inches of snow on Goodland on Wednesday, and light snow was possible as far east as central Kansas.

National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Kleinsasser said he can't remember a recent fall with leaves as vivid as they have been this year.

"It's been so colorful," he said.

Cool overnight temperatures that began in late August, abundant autumn moisture and the absence of a hard freeze have combined to bring particularly rich color to Wichita's fall.

"We've had probably as ideal conditions as you can get for fall color," Janssen said. "The fall color is outstanding right now."

A nice weekend, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s, will give area residents a chance to check out how much of that color remains once the storm system has blown through.

Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com.

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