COLUMBUS – Fall officially arrived in Ohio over a week ago, masked by record-tying high temperatures in the low 90s, but leaves around the state are changing to strong reds, vivid yellows and bold oranges associated with the autumn season.
Leaf-peeping is a favorite fall activity for many people and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources TourismOhio want to help people find the best locations to view and enjoy the colors.
Current forecasts are available here.
Forecasting the brilliance and longevity of Ohio’s fall color is a delicate matter, taking into account variables like sunlight, temperature, wind and rainfall.
ODNR Fall Forester Casey Burdick expects that leaf colors should be peaking in the northern third of Ohio at the end of the second full week of October, the third full week of October for the central third and the southern third at the end of October.
“We are seeing a fair amount of early color, especially in town, on woodland edges and low lying areas,” said Burdick. “This is caused by the very wet spring and early summer we experienced around the state.”
He says buckeyes, maples and walnuts are beginning to show their colors now and Virginia creepers are starting to display their brilliant red leaves.
ODNR and TourismOhio encourage people to take fall color photos and upload them to social media using the hashtag #OhioFall17. Follow @ohiodnr and @OhioFindItHere on Twitter, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio. Find it Here. on Facebook and @OhioDNR, @OHStateParks and @Ohiogram on Instagram
Ohio State Parks is also having a photo contest this fall in which contestants can win prizes like free camping and gift cards