Chasing Autumn: Fall Colors Steal into Burnsville-Savage

Editor’s Note: Share your images of fall on Burnsville Pics & Clips.

Fall is officially on the way. 

"The fall colors are arriving right on schedule in northern Minnesota, and they're making their way south," said Jana Albers, forest health specialist for the DNR's Forestry Division. "We had a decent amount of rain in August across much of the state, and if the sunshine and cool nights continue in September, that's the ideal recipe for fall color. There are already splashes of color wherever you go, and it's only going to get better in the weeks to come."

Starting last week, Minnesota parks staff began posting fall color reports online, and will continue to update the website by noon every Thursday.

As in past years, these reports will include percent of color change, peak color projections, flowers and grasses in bloom, and three parks considered "hot picks" of the week.

The DNR also offers fall colors "to go" on a mobile website compatible with smart phones and tablets. The mobile fall color reports include percent of color change, integrated with Google maps.

When Do Fall Colors Peak?

* Colors typically peak in the northern third of Minnesota is between mid-September and early October.

* In the central third of the state colors typically peak between late September and early October.

* Color typically peaks here in the lower third of the state between late September and mid-October.