On the first weekend of fall, Wisconsin's Northwoods are halfway to peak foliage

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read

The best places to see changing fall color in Wisconsin right now include Merrill (in Lincoln County), Forest County, Mercer (in Iron County) and the Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway, according to observers for Travel Wisconsin's Fall Color Report noting the highest percentages of leaf color change as of Sept. 21.

Merrill is already at 55 percent color change, with the other three spots at 45 percent. Many northern Wisconsin spots expect to reach peak color during the first week of October, according to the report.

Green Bay, at 15 percent, expects peak color during the second week of October. The Green Bay observer's suggestion for best place to see color there? Nicolet Drive on the east side of Green Bay past the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus.

Some central Wisconsin locales have seen a notable increase in color change in the past week. Clark County reports 35 percent, with the Stevens Point Area and Wisconsin Rapids Area at 30 percent. Wausau reports 25 percent, with Fond du Lac at 20 percent and Oshkosh at 15 percent.

Changing color has even made inroads in parts of southern Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Dells at 35 percent and Portage at 20 percent. The Dells observer expects peak color during the second week of October.

The Fall Color Report estimates that Milwaukee, Waukesha and West Bend will reach peak color during the third week of October.

The autumnal equinox marking the strict beginning of autumn doesn't actually take place until Sept. 23, though the meteorological world considers Sept. 1 the soft launch of the season.

SmokyMountains.com's national Fall Foliage Prediction Map for 2023 suggests much of northern and central Wisconsin will reach peak color circa 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.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin fall colors map: Northwoods are halfway to foliage