COLUMBUS, OH - There may be an unseasonable nip in the air in these "dog days" of August, but that doesn't forecast an early arrival for Ohio's Fall Color season, state foresters say. Still, fall-like temperatures in these normally steamy summer weeks can be a subtle reminder that it's never too early to begin planning a Fall Color outing to a state park, forest or nature preserve, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Information about upcoming ODNR events, as well as resort lodge, cottage and campground reservations, are available on the Internet at ohiodnr.com.
While Ohio has enjoyed cool, fall-like weather over the past two weeks, state foresters say that fall color enthusiasts will still have to wait until October for nature's annual forest fireworks display to reach its peak.
"The current fall-like weather may get us thinking about autumn a bit early, but trees take their cue from the shorter daylight hours which will begin in mid to late September," said Bill Schultz, a forester with the ODNR Division of Forestry.
ODNR will help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular touring season by providing weekly Fall Color updates and other information, beginning September 30. The weekly Fall Color updates will be available through the Internet and by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Schultz predicts that leaves will begin turning color in late September in the northern part of Ohio, quickly spreading south through the month of October. "We're still two months away from seeing peak color throughout much of the state," he said.