State forecaster predicts early color changes for some tree species while drought-resistant varieties may peak later in October.
Dry conditions throughout the state could lead to an elongated fall foliage season, with some trees changing early and others late. This photo was taken Oct. 22, 2024 in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.CLEVELAND, Ohio – Dry conditions throughout the state should delay peak fall color in much of Ohio — except where they speed up the change, says the state’s chief fall color forecaster.
David Parrott, a forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, says abnormally dry conditions throughout much of the state could have a dual effect on autumn’s annual show: Some species, including walnuts, dogwoods and buckeyes, will turn early, stressed by the lack of moisture. “Some of those trees are already starting to show some change,” said Parrott, in an interview early this week. More drought-resistant species, including oaks and hickories, might not change colors until later in October, he said.sporadic colors from here throughout the end of October,” said Parrott. “Fingers crossed that we get some rain,” he added, noting that precipitation could lessen some of the stress that trees are feeling. Rick Garuckas, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland, said the chances for substantial rain in the near term are small. “I think we can safely say that below-normal rainfall will continue through at least the last week of September,” he said. Above-normal temperatures are also likely, he said. Peak fall color, said Parrott, is primarily determined by the change of seasons — a function of autumn’s shorter, sunny days and cooler, longer nights. The weather, however, can determine how quickly the cycle progresses as well as the vibrancy of colors. Parrott predicts that peak color will arrive late in northern Ohio, the week of Oct. 21. Central Ohio should peak at about the same time, while southern Ohio will peak the week of Oct. 28. As in years past, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will track the progress of fall color across the state in an online map. Fall color monitors throughout Ohio will report changing conditions, which will be added to the interactive map starting next week at TourismOhio, meanwhile, is promoting a large number of autumn activities throughout the state, including a new Ohio Corn Maze Trail featuring 46 stops for fall fun. For details,If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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