Vibrant, peak fall colors are arriving in most of the Adirondacks and are also expected to make their first appearances this weekend in parts of The Catskills, Chautauqua-Allegheny and Greater Niagara regions. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.
Ontario County observers in Victor and Canandaigua predict that foliage will be nearing midpoint of change with more than 40% transition. Spotters in Rushville expect foliage change will still be minimal by the weekend – around 5% and mostly green leaves.
In Wayne County, spotters in Lyons predict 35% change with yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance, and pockets of deep red. Volunteers note that less change is occurring closer to Lake Ontario. In Cayuga County, reports from Auburn predict 30% change with orange and yellow leaves, plus a small number of red leaves.
In Schuyler County, volunteers in Watkins Glen note that leaves are now changing rapidly and anticipate 30% transition highlighted by shades of yellow and orange. In Yates County, Penn Yan spotters expect 20% change, while Seneca County spotters stationed in Waterloo predict 15% change with muted to average leaves of green, gold and yellow.
In Steuben County, spotters in Corning, Hornell, Hammondsport and Bath expect 55% change with yellow, red and orange leaves of average brilliance beginning to dominate the landscape. In Tompkins County, spotters in Ithaca and Trumansburg anticipate foliage heading toward midpoint of change with 30% transition and bright orange leaves and pops of red. The volunteers also note that Lansing, on the east side of Cayuga Lake, is still mostly green. Tioga County spotters in Owego predict 25% change with the amount of red, yellow and orange leaves multiplying.
Cortland County spotters in the City of Cortland predict foliage will be at midpoint of change with 45% transition and average to bright shades of red and yellow. Chemung County volunteers in Elmira predict up to 40% change as average shades of gold, red and orange continue to emerge. In Livingston County, Geneseo reports predict foliage will be approaching midpoint of change with 40% transition and bright yellow and red leaves along with some orange.
Elsewhere in the state….
In the Adirondacks, Essex County foliage spotters reporting from Wilmington, Jay, Upper Jay, and Au Sable Forks predict peak leaves this weekend with nearly complete transition and a mix of average and bright shades of red, yellow and orange augmented by deep oranges and golds. Peak foliage is expected at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington with 75% color change and vibrant red, yellow, orange, purple and green leaves creating a spectacular display. Lake Placid spotters predict peak leaves with up to 90% change and brilliant golden hues and fiery reds ranging from deep to bright, along with rich, brilliant yellows. The warm weather and sunshine appear to be making this year one of the most brilliant for foliage viewing in the village.
Foliage in and around Newcomb should be at peak with 90% change and bright shades of red and yellow everywhere, including across the mountains and ridges. Crown Point spotters at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center predict 25-30% change with patches of russets, yellow-golds, and occasional oranges and reds continuing to emerge from the green. Foliage change is picking up in the Ticonderoga area with 20% or more leaf transition expected, and muted shades of orange and brown emerging from the mostly green backdrop.
In Franklin County, spotters in Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab are predicting peak to just-past-peak foliage with more than 90% change and cinnamon, copper, honey, dandelion, pumpkin, saffron, magenta, cranberry, and vermillion-colored leaves of above average brilliance. Moderate temperatures, plentiful sunshine and lack of frosty nights should add up to a picture-perfect foliage viewing adventure in the area this weekend. Foliage in and around Saranac Lake will be peak with 75% or more leaf change with a bright mix of yellow, orange, red, green and even some purple leaves. The fall colors are now considerably more vivid compared to last week. In the northern portion of the county, spotters in Malone predict near-peak conditions with 55% or more color change and bright red leaves dominating along with plenty of orange and yellow leaves.
In the Hamilton County hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake, reports predict peak conditions with more than 90% change and muted burnt orange leaves, along with some subdued shades of orange, soft red and mustard yellow. Spotters note that Route 28N from Minerva to Blue Mountain Lake is an especially colorful drive. Observers in Lake Pleasant are calling for peak foliage with 75-100% leaf change and bright shades of orange and red, while Long Lake should be at peak with 85% leaf transition and bright to brilliant shades of mustard, red and orange, with small pockets of green interspersed.
In Herkimer County, Old Forge volunteers expect peak foliage with 85% change with bright shades of red and orange exploding, especially along lakes and waterways, and brilliant shades of gold and yellow illuminating the mountainsides. Lewis County observers in Lowville note that leaf change has accelerated over the past week and now expect 80% transition and near-peak to peak conditions, featuring brilliant and vivid red, orange and yellow leaves.
In Clinton County, spotters in Plattsburgh predict near-peak foliage with 70% change and bright red and orange leaves. In Warren County, volunteers in Queensbury predict near-peak conditions with up to 70% change and bright seasonal colors. Reports from Lake George anticipate leaves at midpoint of change with 50% transition and broad stretches of golden yellows, burnt oranges, and crimson leaves.
In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, leaves will be near-peak in Jefferson County, according to volunteers in Alexandria Bay. Reports from the village expect 85% change with a bright range of fall colors, including gold with patches of brilliant burgundy. Expected rain over the next week increases the likelihood the leaves will be peak this weekend. In St. Lawrence County, Madrid spotters are predicting 70-75% change with bright orange and red leaves, along with shades of yellow. Oswego County observers anticipate foliage around midpoint of change with 40% leaf transition as warm oranges, reds and yellows dominate the county’s eastern corridor, and muted bronze and rust shades start to color the tree line in the southwest part of the county.
In the Catskills, Greene County reports from above 1200’ in Windham predict peak foliage with 80% color change and orange, red, yellow and purple leaves, while spotters reporting from the lower elevations expect near-peak foliage with 65% change and brilliant autumnal hues. In Ulster County, peak conditions are expected at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. Kingston spotters anticipate 55% change with varying seasonal shades.
Delaware County reports from Delhi are predicting near-peak to peak foliage with more than 65% change and a rapidly transitioning canopy, featuring bright pops of red, plus quickly emerging golds, purples, yellows and oranges. Volunteers in Deposit predict 65% change with mostly bright orange and red leaves, while spotters in Stamford expect 60% change, and observers in Hamden and Bloomville expect 30% transition with muted orange leaves. Foliage spotters at Lake Delaware in Bovina Center predict 60% change with average to bright red, yellow and orange leaves.
In Sullivan County, spotters located 20 miles from Port Jervis in Forestburgh anticipate 35% leaf change with bright orange, red, yellow and wine-colored leaves. Reports from Liberty anticipate at least 20% transition with an increasing number of vibrant shades of red and orange.
In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Cattaraugus County volunteers at Allegany State Park in Salamanca are predicting peak foliage with 60% leaf transition. Spotters feel this weekend will be the best opportunity for peak colors in the park. In Randolph, observers anticipate 60% change and near-peak conditions with a very brilliant mix of oranges, yellows and bright pops of red. Chautauqua County reports from Chautauqua Institution, along Chautauqua Lake in Jamestown, and all along Interstate 86 and the surrounding communities, anticipate foliage at midpoint of change with 50% transition and a bright mix of green, red, orange and yellow.
In the Greater Niagara region, Erie County volunteers in the Springville and Boston areas note rapid changes in leaf color over the past week and expect peak foliage with up to 75% change this weekend. Overall transition in the rest of the region will be significantly lower. Buffalo spotters expect 35% change with bright shades of red and orange emerging, plus plenty of yellow and gold. In East Aurora, spotters expect midpoint and near-peak conditions with more than 40% transition and splashes of burnt reds, yellows and an occasional bright orange.
In Wyoming County, reports from Letchworth State Park in Castile predict up to 60% foliage change and midpoint to near-peak conditions, with autumn colors overtaking the remaining green leaves. In Genesee County, spotters in Batavia expect 30% change with seasonal colors becoming more dominant. In Niagara County, Niagara Falls volunteers expect 20% transition with shades of yellow dominating the landscape, accented by wisps of red. Spotters in Lewiston, and in the Orleans County village of Albion, anticipate 10% change by the weekend.
In Central New York, Chenango County reports from Norwich predict 55% change with mostly yellow leaves augmented by touches of red and orange. Binghamton area spotters in Broome County are predicting at least 50% change and near-peak foliage with pops of red, orange and yellow. Herkimer County spotters in Herkimer expect 30% change, as do Montgomery County volunteers in Fonda, with emerging bright reds.
Madison County reports from Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia expect 25% change with average to bright green, orange, brown, gold and red leaves. In Oneida County, volunteers at Pixley Falls State Park in Boonville predict foliage will be at midpoint of change, with as much as 65% transition and some shades of yellow, plus some reds and oranges where maples are prominent. There are also some bare trees throughout the park. Spotters in Utica anticipate up to 25% change with a mix of yellow, orange and some red leaves of average brilliance.
Otsego County spotters reporting from Cooperstown expect 25% change with yellow and orange leaves coming to the fore. In Schoharie County, Cobleskill observers expect foliage will near midpoint of change with an increasing amount of yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance.
In the Capital-Saratoga region, Fulton County observers in Northville are predicting 40-45% change with average to bright shades of green-yellow, orange and red. Spotters note that the colors are most vibrant when set against the blue waters of the county’s 44 lakes. In Albany County, reports from Thacher State Park in Voorheesville expect 45% change and midpoint to near-peak conditions with bright reds alongside yellow, orange, green and brown leaves. Spotters in Cohoes predict 35% change by the weekend with muted gold and orange leaves, as well as some yellow and red leaves.
In Rensselaer County, volunteers in East Greenbush expect around 40% transition with muted to average shades of orange, burgundy, red and yellow. In Saratoga County, spotters in Saratoga Springs predict more than 20% change with an array of fall colors, including deep reds, gold and light orange.
Observers in Monroe County reporting from Rochester expect 25-30% change as the pace of foliage transition quickens. Much more yellow is now observed in most areas in and around Rochester, and more trees are beginning to show minimal tints of red and orange, though they are still in the minority. A few trees are displaying a beautiful blend of red-orange and green. Spotters in the Brighton area of the city expect a little less than 40% transition with an increasing number of yellow leaves and red leaves emerging on the tips of mostly green trees. Some areas still have large tree stands that are completely green while trees a few miles away miles away show lots of yellow and some red leaves. On the ground, the shrubby foliage like sumac, dogwood, and grape ivy are turning dark red, enhancing the overall color display.
In Onondaga County, spotters at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville expect near-peak foliage with up to 70% change and shades of red and yellow, while volunteers reporting from Upper Onondaga Park in Syracuse expect about 15% transition and yellow, dark red and orange leaves of average brilliance.
In the Hudson Valley, Columbia County observers in Hudson project 35% change with green and gold leaves of average brilliance along with accents of orange, red, bright yellow and pink. In Dutchess County, reports from Beacon and Fishkill expect 20% change with some yellow leaves, while volunteers in Hopewell Junction also predict nearly 20% change, with yellow leaves and some shades of red and orange.
In Orange County, spotters in Goshen predict more than 30% change with increasing amounts of average to bright yellow and orange leaves. Cornwall observers expect about 15% change, as some areas are changing quickly while others are still mostly green. In Newburgh, volunteers expect at least 15% transition with some emerging fall colors. Putnam County spotters in the Village of Cold Spring are anticipating an average of 10% foliage change with bright, brilliant green leaves accompanied by bright splashes of yellow and orange, as well as some red. Look for about 5% color change in the village, and around 20% along the surrounding major roads, including 301, 403, Rt 9, Rt 9d and the Taconic State Parkway. Travelers should check out the hike and views from Castle Rock Park or Anthony’s Nose.
In Rockland County, spotters at Bear Mountain State Park predict 20% change with yellow and reddish-colored leaves in the park’s higher elevations. Black walnut trees now have light green leaves and there is some leaf droppage. In New City, spotters anticipate 20% change with a nice mix of fall colors emerging over mostly green canopy. In Westchester County, White Plains volunteers predict 25% transition with some bright red and orange leaves appearing over the mostly muted green backdrop.
On Long Island, Suffolk County spotters on the North Shore predict 10% change with some yellow leaves starting to emerge. Area parkways are still mostly green. Spotters at The Nature Conservancy on Shelter Island note that red maples are beginning to change and predict 10% transition with dashes of red, purple and yellow leaves. Observers in Montauk and the East End anticipate 10% change with a smattering of fall colors appearing.
Nassau County volunteers at Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead expect 15% change with hints of crimson and burnt umber leaves of mixed brilliance, while East Meadow spotters predict 10-15% change. Trees along the parkway system are showing red, orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Trees around lakes and ponds are further along with more changing foliage visible, like Mill Pond Park in Wantagh with at least 25% of trees expected to offer colorful vistas by the weekend. Spotters at Valley Stream State Park predict no significant change.
