You'll Be Happy To Hear That Cleveland's Fall Foliage Is Expected To Be Bright And Bold This Year
By Nikki Rhoades|Published September 05, 2018
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Many Clevelanders drive with their eyes sweeping across the landscape before them and in their rearview mirror, taking in road hazards alongside the splendor of the landscape. If you’ve found yourself driving about the region recently, you may have noticed the playful speckling of rust and gold about the very tip-top of local tree species. The season of vibrancy is right around the corner, and the tell-tale signs are evident throughout the region.
As you may have noticed, autumn has already maintained higher-than-average temperatures throughout August and September. However, paired with normal precipitation, the effect may actually trigger an early change in the trees. The good news is that few early frosts this season will lead to more brilliant shades.
However, the intensity of this summer's heatwave may actually shorten our viewing season. Fortunately, our precipitation hasn't been abnormal this season, and a healthy bit of gloom is in the forecast, so locals are hoping that the heat won't make the leaves drop prematurely.
Rainy and overcast days are directly linked with fall vibrancy. The more overcast days a season brings, the more intense fall colors become. This paired with dramatically shortening days is linked to color change, and our region is due to be experiencing the first wave of intense change this month. October, however, is expected to be the best time for fall foliage viewing.
As days grow shorter and darker, leaves stop producing pigments like chlorophyll and carotenoids, allowing the leaves to reveal underlying hues. Maple leaves turn an enchantingly rich shade of red, and oak leaves seem to rust. The genetic makeup of leaves has a lot to do with the colors that trees will change to, but temperatures and precipitation ultimately contribute to their vibrancy.
The SmokyMountains.com Foliage Prediction Map reveals that we should see quite a bit of vibrancy through early November. You can use this interactive map to help plan seasonal entertainment. To access it, click here.
The Cleveland Metroparks offer an incredible selection of parks for your foliage-viewing pleasure. The entirety of Valley Parkway lights up in vibrant hues, and hidden wonders like Tinker’s Creek Gorge become a wonderland of color.
With what is turning out to be a lovely fall season, locals are particularly excited for pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and apple cider. There are plenty of local day trips where you can indulge your desire for fall fun. For a list of examples, click here.
Autumn is always one of the most splendid seasons here in Cleveland, and this year is promising to be truly spectacular. What’s your favorite part of fall?
