Even if you are not planning to go on a hike or pack up a tent and camp out this fall, you can take advantage of the easiest way to welcome fall with almost no effort required: leaf peeping. Leaf peeping is, simply put, just the act of looking at leaves to observe the color change that takes place during fall. This activity is so popular that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), in partnership with Ohio. Find It Here., maintains a Fall Color Forecast to help people find the best locations to view and enjoy the beautiful colors that accompany the onset of fall in Ohio.
“The incredible fall colors will be here soon, and it’s a great time to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Ohio,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Our state has so much to offer to both Ohioans and visitors, and I encourage everyone to explore the many opportunities available during this remarkable season.” Here in our area, state parks such as Malabar Farm and Mohican are reporting that colors have started to change from green to the orange, yellow and red colors associated with fall.
Forecasting fall color is not always easy as foresters must consider several variables such as sunlight, temperature, wind, and rainfall when calculating the brilliance and longevity of Ohio’s autumn color. This fall, the ODNR Division of Forestry is expecting color to peak in the northern third of Ohio the fourth of October, the fifth week of October for the central third, and the first week of November for the southern third. The current forecast, along with informational videos, is available at fallcolor.ohiodnr.gov.
This website includes:
~Weekly color updates and information to help plan a fall color adventure.
~Informational videos about Ohio’s native trees.
~Links to fall activities, scenic road trips, and unique overnight accommodations at Ohio State Parks and more.
“We are seeing some early color, especially in town, on woodland edges, and low laying areas,” said ODNR Fall Color Forester Greg Smith. “These trees are experiencing stress from the extended warm and dry conditions that are carrying over from the summer. However, the state is still under mostly green and changing conditions.”
Both ODNR and Ohio. Find It Here. encourage people to take fall color photos and upload them to social media using the hashtag #FallInOhio and #OhioFindItHere. Follow @ohiodnr and @OhioFindItHere on Twitter, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio. Find It Here. on Facebook and @OhioDNR, @OHStateParks and @OhioFindItHere on Instagram to see more fall color photos.
