Fall time in Kansas is spectacular. (Can I get an "Amen!?") The trees are ablaze in red and orange, the air is cool and crisp and the Flint Hills look even more spectacular than usual! To confirm my statement, here are 14 pictures of why fall is the best time of the year in Kansas:
Fall in Kansas is such a wonderfully special time. The menus are full of pumpkin spice everything, it seems like there's a great fall festival being held just about every weekend, and the crisp autumn air feels so much more comfortable than the humid days of summer.
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As soon as the season starts to change, many of us start to wonder "When do leaves change color in Kansas?" Those of you with foliage on the brain will be glad to know that we have a Kansas fall foliage map 2024 from Smoky Mountains that makes timing your leaf peeping just a little bit easier. If you're planning a fall foliage road trip in Kansas, you'll definitely want to check out this interactive map.
Of course, the one predictable thing about Kansas weather is that it's unpredictable. There's no sure answer to "When do leaves change in Kansas?" but even so, this fall foliage predictor uses past history and weather to try to give a good estimate.
More specifically, SmokyMountains.com utilizes a refined data model that depends on a combination of factors, including historical temperature and precipitation, forecast temperature and precipitation, the type of tree known to be prominent in that geographic region, the historical trends in that area, and user data. It's not an exact science, but this method yields a rather impressive track record in terms of accurately predicting when the leaves will change across the US!
Kansas's northern half tends to be at peak colors about a week or so before the southern half, so keep that in mind if you're planning a trip. And take note: by the beginning of November, nearly all of autumn's beautiful hues will be gone.
Where's your favorite spot for catching fall foliage in Kansas? Share your leaf-peeping places in the comments!
Check out the full Kansas fall foliage map 2024 at the Smoky Mountains website.
I absolutely love lacing up my hiking boots and hitting the trails when fall hits. There's nothing better than enjoying the brilliant scenery and cool weather. If you are also a fan of fall hiking in Kansas, consider signing up for a free trial of Alltrails+. You'll get to enjoy benefits like downloadable trail maps and more.
The northern lights are typically thought of as a phenomenon only seen in exotic locales like extreme northerly spots such as Norway and Alaska, but they are occasionally visible within the continental U.S., too. This year, there's an increased chance that you just might be able to see the northern lights in Kansas. Those in the know are already well-aware that there are some wonderful opportunities for stargazing in Kansas - all that rural land and lack of city lights is just perfect for admiring the constellations! Looking up at the night sky might be a little more special this year, though, if you happen to catch the northern lights in Kansas.
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The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of the night sky's most famous spectacles.
The phemenon is colorful waves of light caused by energized particles from the sun hitting Earth's atmosphere that are then deflected by Earth's magnetic field.
A wide array of colors are possible to be seen during a northern lights show. This is because the colors are caused by different molecules within the Earth's atmosphere.
This will cause the area of activity in which the auroras are visible to move farther south than normal, meaning there's a chance we could see the northern lights in Kansas.
Your best bet for spotting aurora borealis in Kansas is around the equinoxes in March and October. Northern Kansas is most likely to catch a glimpse, and you'll want to make sure you're away from big cities and in an area with no light pollution.
Sheridan Wildlife Area in Quinter is always one of our favorite spots for stargazing. Lovewell State Park near Webber is another good bet thanks to its location and relatively remote area.
Have you ever seen the northern lights in person? While you don't need a telescope or binoculars for this particular phenomenon, these are great to own if you love stargazing in Kansas.
