Fall color is peaking in many spots in northern and central Wisconsin
Heading into the second week of October, fall color is peaking in many parts of northern and central Wisconsin, according to observers for Travel Wisconsin's Fall Color Report.
In northern Wisconsin, observers report 100 percent, or peak color, in Langlade County, Minocqua, the Rhinelander area and Tomahawk, with Merrill at 95 percent and Barron County at 90 percent.
Hurley and Three Lakes are already labeled "fading peak," or past their top brilliance for the season.
Northern destinations that expect to peak during the second week of October include Ashland, Medford and Oconto County.
Green Bay, at 55 percent, and Door County, at 45 percent, both estimate peak color during the third week of October.
These central Wisconsin destinations expect to peak during the second week of October: Clark County and Shawano, both at 75 percent; Rome, 65 percent; Wausau, 60 percent; Stevens Point, 55 percent.
Appleton, at 50 percent, and Manitowoc, 40 percent, estimate peak leaf color change during the third week of October.
Prairie du Chien, at 60 percent, and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, at 55 percent, top the list of southern Wisconsin observers. Both estimate peak color during the second week of October.
The report estimates that Milwaukee, Waukesha and West Bend will reach peak color the third week of October.
SmokyMountains.com's national Fall Foliage Prediction Map for 2023 suggests much of northern and central Wisconsin will near peak color circa Oct. 9, with southern Wisconsin counties nearing peak color around Oct. 16. This prediction map draws on historical leaf peak trends, as well as historical and forecasted temperatures and precipitation data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to calculate when colors will peak in every county across the country.
More: Which Wisconsin trees turn what color, and when, and answers to other questions about fall colors
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin fall colors map: Many northern and central spots peaking
