If you plan to peep leaves, this weekend might be your last best chance.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' fall foliage outlook shows leaf colors are expected to be at peak levels from now through the middle of next week in Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties in Western Pennsylvania.
The rest of the region's colors will be starting to fade during that time, the DCNR forecast indicated.
The Clear Creek State Forest District in Mercer County reported that foliage has peaked around the district, but a lot of color remains. Most maple trees are past peak and have been dropping leaves, but scattered maples and even some entire hillsides still have vibrant yellows, oranges and fiery reds, according to the DCNR.
East of Pittsburgh, leaf color in the Forbes State Forest district in the Laurel Highlands is fading, but patches of oaks in Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Ridge are holding onto russet and gold colors.
The same goes for Gallitzin State Forest in Blair, Indiana and Cambria counties. For a leaf-peeping drive this weekend, DCNR suggested a route in Gallitzin State Forest from Route 403 to Cooper Avenue, then Dishong Mountain Road to U.S. Route 22.
The recent cold weather — with overnight low temperatures in the low 30s — along with rainy and windy conditions took its toll on leaves throughout Western Pennsylvania. With leaves in many locations at or just past peak, the cold snap and wind gusts caused a big loss of leaves around the region.
The National Weather Service said the region will see warmer and slightly wetter than average weather for the remainder of the month, but the next few days will be mild and dry.
High temperatures are expected to hover near or slightly above 70 degrees over the next week, with overnight low temperatures in the mid-40s to low-50s. The next chance of rain is Wednesday.
First Published: October 21, 2022, 9:07 p.m.
Updated: October 23, 2022, 12:02 a.m.
