Step outside during this time of year and the wide spectrum of yellow, orange and reds should be noticeable, but that hasn't been the case for the first half of fall. Experts say there is a reason for a delay in the bursts of fall foliage.
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If you've been wondering why your pictures outside have been a little blah, there's an explanation for it all.
"In late summer, Cleveland experienced a lengthy and persistent period of light rain along with above average temperatures during the early part of fall," said Marty Calabrese, a naturalist for the Cleveland Metroparks.
With the recent cooler temperatures and bright, sunny days, the leaves should have no problem exposing their fall colors.
The leaves stop producing chlorophyll as the days get shorter, which stops the green pigment and gives leaves the opportunity to reveal their true colors that are synonymous with fall.
Just going through his photos and comparing the ones he took this year to last, Calabrese said fall is about 14 days behind fall colors.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said hikers and those looking to get outside to spot fall's fashionably late debut can expect to see bright reds of the black gum and some maple trees, then russet shades of oaks and the bright yellow of the gingko trees shortly after.
With the amount of moisture still stuck to the trees, there's still time to see the fall rainbow.
"There's still hope to rich and vivid colors," Calabrese said.
