Fall snowstorm brings leaf peeping season to an end in parts of Colorado
KDVR Fox 31
DENVER (KDVR) — Spots in Colorado were coined as some of the best places in the country to see fall leaves, but after this weekend, most of the leaves will be gone.
The fall leaves in the mountains were a sought-after sight this year, as traffic to the high country was reportedly as long as five and a half hours during peak viewing. According to FOX31 viewers, getting to popular leaf-peeping spots like Guanella Pass was like “driving in LA.”
While the leaves in the mountains were popular, peak season has come and gone, and after the weekend storm, there won't be many leaves left.
This weekend marks the first big fall snowstorm in Colorado. While Denver will only see rain, areas in the high country will record a few inches of snow. However, according to Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels, it's not so much the snow that affects the leaves, but the wind.
From Friday through Sunday, wind gusts can reach up to 45 miles per hour in the high country, causing many leaves to fall. Michels said lower elevations like the foothills and Boulder might have some left after this weekend, but he said that leaves will most likely be gone anywhere above 7,500 feet.
Michels expects minimal mountain leaves, however, there will still be some fall colors in other areas.
Denver stayed hot through the summer and into September and October, but the city won't skip over the fall. While the cooler temperatures will come later this year, Michels said there will still be a fall in Denver, it's just pushed back.
The leaves just started to change in the metro and there are still some green trees around. Michels said that Denver should still have some colorful leaves next week.