The perfect recipe

 

Every year there is speculation about whether this is this going to be one of those gorgeous, take a drive in the country type Falls.  Will the dark limbs of the trees and bright reds, yellows and oranges of the foiliage stand out vibrant against the back drop of the Missouri River Bluffs?  Will the trees form a beautifully rich canopy over our narrow country lanes?

Here is what I’ve always heard are the predictors:

Temperature

Autumn days need to be mild – well Autumn took its good ol’ time getting here but once it is here the days have been mild to warm

Evenings are cool and crisp, but not below freezing – check, our sweatshirt and jeans evenings have been wonderful

A late spring may delay the colors a week or two – gosh, I can’t remember back that far!  But if anything, I think we had an early Spring, along with an early Summer.  I wonder if that early Summer will hurt the colors.

Precipitation

Severe drought causes the leaves to turn brown and fall quicker – nope, we had lots of rain this summer and on into the Fall

Wind

Intense wind will shorten the duration of the leaves on the trees – time will tell on this one

I’m predicting a wonderfully beautiful Fall here in Missouri.  I see a my state road trip in my future!