How The Weather Will Affect Your Fall Leaf Peeping Trips

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

02 Oct 2007 11:12 PM

Perhaps, I am just naïve. After all, I grew up in a place where the only things that fell from trees were coconuts. So when it comes to judging the brilliance of fall foliage I may be a bit out of my league. Personally, I think the mere fact that the leaves changes hues at all is exciting and amazing. However, it seems other more astute leaf peepers have different ideas on what constitutes a prize-winning season.

Experts in the Midwest and South are warning travelers who are criss-crossing the nation in search of the ultimate fall foliage that they may be in for a major disappointment this year. Apparently, warm weather earlier in the year in places like Georgia and the Carolinas, and late summery weather in states such as Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio may have muted the foliage there.

Leaf watchers in the Carolinas and Georgia say the brilliant fall color display across the states' forests is expected to lack brilliance and be much shorter this year. And Mother Nature is to blame. According to experts, unseasonably warm temperatures in March made plants bloom early, and the early April freeze killed many of those young leaves. Also, the area's drought-like conditions coupled with an extended heat wave in August has stressed trees to the point where many have leaves that are withering and falling before they get a chance to change color.

In Ohio, workers at area hotels, restaurants, and shops that rely on leaf-peeping tourists are bracing for a lackluster season. According to Department of Natural Resources managers, a warm September and a severe lack of rain has resulted in many trees going dormant early and dropping their leaves to protect themselves from the dry weather.

That's terrible news for visitors who are expecting to see vibrant color shows in some of Ohio's most popular fall color spots including the Appalachian foothills and Hocking Hills in the south and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the north. Employees at Wayne Natural Forest in southern Ohio say the leaves are changing earlier than normal this season and some trees are already bare. Typically, fall colors peak in northern Ohio in early October, then spread to the central part of the state by mid-October, and a few weeks later in the south. So to have bare trees in the southern part of the state already is less than ideal.

How are the trees looking in your neck of the woods?

Related Articles:

Where To View Fall Colors In Your Neck Of The Woods

Even More Fall Foliage Travel Deals

More Fall Foliage Travel Deals

Fall Foliage Travel Deals

More Fall Family Fun In New England

Fall Family Fun In New England

Celebrate Fall In San Diego

Fall Festivals From Coast to Coast

Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 5: Farms and Festivals

Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 1: Corn Mazes

Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations--Part 2: Haunted Houses

Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 3: Hiking Trails

Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 4: Train Rides

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Valorie Delp (49340) 03 Oct 2007 05:22 AM

I have to say I agree. Usually by this time the hills are bursting with yellows, oranges and reds--but not so this year. ;-(

Heather Long (16954) 03 Oct 2007 09:12 AM

And oddly enough, here in Texas, the leaves are turning colors. They never do that here. They either fall off the tree dead or stay green. Wonky Mother Nature indeed!

Michele Cheplic (37349) 04 Oct 2007 10:02 AM

Thanks for the comments Valorie and Heather here's hoping the warm weather continues well into December ;) --that's my hope anyway.

Valorie Delp (49340) 04 Oct 2007 11:04 AM

Yeah. . .I'd totally trade my favorite hues for warm weather!

Courtney Mroch (9169) 04 Oct 2007 05:47 PM

Last year the hills here in Nashville were GORGEOUS with color. This year we've had so little rain and such hot heat that we're not in for a treat of color. Bummer. Maybe I'll drive Heather's way...