Fall color arrives across Ohio. Leaves are getting colorful across the state

It starting to get a bit more colorful across Ohio.

Fall has officially arrived and so has the countdown to the peak of colorful leaves across the state.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says leaves are just starting to change across most areas in the state.

ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott said the combination of more moderate temperatures and rain in the forecast should help with the progression of the color change.

“Our fall color reporters have been seeing changing conditions statewide with some still seeing mostly green canopies in a few spots,” Parrott said in his latest fall color report this week. “However, residents in urban areas are seeing some fall colors including bright reds and yellows in sugar maples. We are hoping the rain this week will help keep leaves on the trees and continue the evolution of picturesque autumn colors.”

ODNR tracks the fall leaf color progression with observers at state parks and forests across the state.

What are the first leaves in Ohio to turn?

Varieties like the red maples and sugar maples are usually the first to show some color in Ohio, followed in turn by the hickory and oaks.

Another factor, experts say, is whether a tree is under stress and if that is the case, it will shed its leaves first.

And there's a lot of science behind just how vibrant or drab a tree's leaf will be. These factors range from soil to weather to its genetic makeup.

When will it be peak fall color in Ohio?

ODNR predicts northern Ohio will be at its peak the second week of October with Central Ohio experiencing its peak the third week and Southern Ohio in the final week of the month.

The Farmer's Almanac, which has been making weather-related predictions since 1818, says Ohio peak fall foliage will fall between Oct. 5 and 21.

The interactive Fall Foliage Prediction map produced by the SmokyMountains.com tourist site forecasts that northern Ohio will see peak leaf color the week of Oct. 16 this year.

The past two falls in Ohio have experienced late peaks for foliage with the peak of color falling in late October.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Fall color arrives across Ohio when will peak fall color arrive