October 27, 2001
As with the Northeast region, the foliage season is coming to an end. The western half of the region is mostly past peak, while the eastern section is reporting a mix of peak and past peak conditions. Peak foliage can still be viewed in much of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and in many areas of Ohio. A sliver of southeast Wisconsin is also holding on to peak conditions.

A very strong low pressure system moved through the upper Midwest over the past few days, bringing with it very strong winds. Many of the Great Lakes looked like the ocean, with very large swells. These very heavy winds did more than stir up the lakes, they also took down many of the leaves. Throughout Minnesota, trees were stripped of their leaves. Leaf drop there is now complete. Most other areas are now at high or nearly complete leaf drop. Southwestern Ohio is still reporting moderate leaf drop, as they were spared from the highest winds.

This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. The next report will be released Wednesday, October 31, 2001.