Leaf peeping will be a bit unpredictable this fall
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Bad news, leaf peepers: Fall photo ops may be harder to find this season due to Ohio's historic drought.
Why it matters: Nearly the entire state is currently experiencing some level of drought and our region is one of the most affected.
- David Parrott, fall color forester for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, tells Axios the prolonged dry conditions will make many trees change colors in sporadic and unpredictable ways.
Yes, but: Some Central Ohio trees are already changing, so you can get your fall fix earlier than normal if you know where to look.
- Less drought-resistant trees like maples and sycamores are most likely to be changing. Others will still pop their peak color at normal times.
Pro tip: ODNR provides weekly online updates of the best fall foliage viewing spots. The first came out Wednesday.
What they're saying: Keeping an eye on the website will be especially beneficial this year because "there may not be a steady pattern of change across the state," Parrott says. Typically, fall color progresses north to south.
- Some leaves may also prematurely brown and dry out.
- "Leaf peepers will need to be fluid with their travel plans," he cautions.
Threat level: Parrott also notes that dry leaf piles will heighten the risk of wildfires.
- A ban on open burning is in effect for 37 counties, including Franklin, as of yesterday.
- Though rain is finally falling this week, we'll likely need much more than just a few days of precipitation to reverse the drought's effects, a meteorologist told us last week.
What we're watching: The smokymountains.com fall foliage prediction map says to expect "peak," if patchy, conditions in our region the week of Oct. 21.
💠Alissa's thought bubble: I guess this explains why my yard was already covered in dry maple leaves when I returned from Minnesota on Wednesday.
📸 Go deeper: A beginner's guide to local leaf peeping from Experience Columbus.