This is the fifth 2023 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend.
In the Finger Lakes, Ontario County spotters in Naples expect near-peak conditions with at least 70% color change and red, yellow and green shades, while Bristol and Canandaigua observers anticipate near-peak foliage with 65% change and shades of red, yellow and green. Spotters in Rushville anticipate just 20% transition with hints of orange and some yellow amid the still mostly green leaves. In Cayuga County, volunteers in Auburn predict near-peak foliage with more than 75-80% foliage change and muted to bright shades of yellow, orange and red. Chemung County reports from Elmira project near-peak conditions with 70% leaf transition and a full range of yellow, orange and red leaves emerging at all elevations. The views from Harris Hill and Tanglewood Nature Center are particularly impressive.
Tompkins County spotters in Ithaca and Trumansburg predict near-peak foliage with 65% transition with bright reds appearing among the burnt orange, yellow, and quickly disappearing green leaves. In Cortland County, reports from Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland predict leaves approaching peak with at least 60% transition and bright yellow and orange leaves. Livingston County volunteers in Geneseo expect 50% change with yellow and red leaves. In Onondaga County, spotters from Upper Onondaga Park in Syracuse report 40% transition and muted to average green, yellow, orange and dark red leaves approaching midpoint of change. Seneca County spotters in Waterloo anticipate near-peak to peak conditions this weekend with 65% change and muted brown, red and yellow leaves.
Schuyler County spotters in Watkins Glen and Hector predict 50% color change with average shades of yellow and orange. There was minimal leaf droppage caused by recent wind and rain, and there is still great foliage viewing on the hill and along Seneca Lake. In Steuben County, volunteers reporting from Corning, Hammondsport, Hornell, and Bath anticipate 40% foliage change with muted to average yellow, orange, and red leaves. In Tioga County, Owego reports predict that foliage will be at midpoint of change with 40% transition and red, yellow, orange, and green leaves. In Wayne County, spotters in Lyons are predicting 50% change with green, yellow, orange, and some red leaves. Some areas are full of color while a short distance away leaves on many of the trees are still green. The Route 104 corridor is very colorful, while areas north and south are seeing a much slower transition. In the Yates County village of Penn Yan, foliage should be at midpoint of change with 40% transition and mostly yellow leaves.
