OHIO — While autumn brings a variety of seasonal activities like pumpkin carving, Halloween or running through corn mazes, there’s a staple in the background of all of those experiences: the brilliant hues that come with the leaves changing color.
“Autumn is a great time to explore the outdoors and experience everything that Ohio has to offer with a backdrop of dazzling colors,” Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz said. “Our state parks, nature preserves, and forests are bustling with visitors who want to make memories that last a lifetime over the next few months.”
Estimating the leaves changing color is not an easy task, as there are several variables in the equation that must be considered — sunlight, temperature, rainfall, wind and even the length of the days. The ODNR believes northern Ohio’s colors will peak the second week of October, central Ohio’s will be the third week and southern Ohio’s will be the fourth week.
“This year’s weather may have a significant impact on the distribution of fall colors statewide,” ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott said. “We had a dry spring and a dry end to this summer. These dry conditions can lead to trees being more stressed, and stressed trees tend to lose their chlorophyll earlier and drop their leaves. However, as long as we get enough precipitation to help the leaves hang on through the fall—without any storms that blow the leaves off—the cool evenings we are starting to experience with the sunny days are setting this fall up to have some great fall colors in many areas throughout the state.”
ODNR will keep Ohioans updated with its fall color website, which includes weekly updates to help plan the perfect fall hike and fun events around the state.