New York State’s gradual transition from the greens of summer to the multi-colored kaleidoscope of fall continues this weekend, with a few locations in the Adirondacks approaching midpoint of leaf transition, and areas from Long Island to Western New York beginning to see their first significant color changes. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.
In the Adirondacks, foliage spotters from Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab Lake in Franklin County predict up to midpoint of change for the coming weekend, with 45-50% color transition. Shades of pineapple, dandelion, turnip, apricot, tangerine, cranberry, avocado and sporadic scarlet will transform the landscape. The repeat of last year’s sweltering summer coupled with no frost and plenty of rain have created a slow, muted transition this year, with spotters awaiting an explosion of magnificent hues. In Saranac Lake, spotters expect about 25% change, with a muted mix of green and yellow leaves, along with isolated pops of red, especially along the waterfront. In the northern portion of the county near Malone, spotters predict about 10% change with some muted red and orange leaves.
Herkimer County foliage spotters in Old Forge predict foliage may reach midpoint of change with up to 40% transition dominated by dark reds and burgundy, along with some yellow, gold and emerging orange. There is still a significant number of green leaves.
In Essex County, spotters reporting from Wilmington, Jay, Upper Jay, and Au Sable Forks predict up to 35% change this weekend with average shades of deep purple along with muted red and orange, plus some shades of green shifting to yellow and gold. Observers at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area are predicting 15% change with a mix of bright green, red, purple, yellow, and orange leaves. Spotters in Lake Placid expect 15% change, with touches of yellow in lower elevations and some reds and yellows in higher elevations. Reports from Newcomb predict just under 15% foliage change, with muted to average shades of red and orange, along with darker shades of red and purple. Leaf spotters in Ticonderoga predict just over 5% change, with bright red and orange markings on the tips of some leaves.
Hamilton County spotters reporting from Lake Pleasant predict 20% leaf change this weekend with increasing shades of red and orange leaves of average brilliance. Reports from Long Lake predict 10% transition with some muted yellow leaves and individual maple trees showing red. In Lewis County, spotters in Lowville expect nearly 15% foliage change, with hints of yellow and some muted orange. Warren County spotters in Lake George anticipate 10% change with hints of yellow and orange leaves.
In the Catskills, Greene County spotters reporting from the upper elevations around Windham predict up to 20% leaf change this weekend, with some red leaves beginning to appear over the mostly green landscape. Color change in the surrounding lower elevations will be significantly less. In Delaware County, observers in Walton predict up to 20% change, with some yellow and red leaves of average brilliance. Spotters in Bovina are also predicting nearly 20% change with some spots of brilliant reds and oranges. Reports from Delhi expect almost 10% change with light-yellow leaves beginning to appear on hillsides.
Sullivan County foliage spotters in Liberty expect a little over 5% foliage change this weekend with some muted fall colors starting to appear in the areas of higher elevation. Reports from Forestburgh predict a little more than 5% leaf change with some muted fall color just beginning to appear. In Ulster County, foliage spotters at Belleayre Mountain Ski Area in Highmount report that hints of fall color are beginning to show, while reports from Kingston predict 5-10% change.
In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, observers checking in from Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County predict more than 20% foliage change this weekend with yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. In St. Lawrence County, spotters in Madrid predict 10% change with muted splashes of seasonal color throughout. Spotters in Oswego County predict more than 5% change, with occasional bright pops of red and orange in trees in the northern portion of the county.
In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Cattaraugus County spotters at Allegany State Park in Salamanca project up to 20% leaf change. With colder temperatures last weekend, the park has been seeing some colors change this week. The leaf brilliance is still muted, and most of the hillsides are green, but individual trees with coloring have become more apparent.
In Chautauqua County, spotters at Chautauqua Institution are predicting up to 15% foliage change. The Chautauqua County – Lake Erie area of Western New York is still in the early stages of change with mostly green leaves as well as shades of red, yellow and orange across Chautauqua Lake, the greater Jamestown area, along Lake Erie, and I-86 in Sherman and Findley Lake. In Cattaraugus County, spotters in Little Valley predict 10% change this weekend, with some yellow leaves of average brilliance popping up.
In Central New York, southern Herkimer County foliage spotters in Herkimer predict up to 20% foliage change with some muted yellow and orange leaves. In Broome County, spotters in Binghamton are projecting up to 10% change this weekend with some slight seasonal color emerging. Oneida County reports from Utica expect a little over 5% transition, with yellow leaves of average brilliance just beginning to appear.
In the Capital-Saratoga region, Fulton County foliage spotters at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Northville are predicting 10% change by the weekend, with muted dark-red and yellow leaves just beginning to appear. In Albany County, reports from Thacher State Park in Voorheesville predict over 10% change with average to bright shades of orange and yellow. The higher elevations of the central and eastern portions of Rensselaer County should expect 10% transition, with increasing patches of autumn dark red and light-yellow leaves of average brilliance.
In the Finger Lakes, Livingston County observers in Geneseo expect up to 10% transition this weekend, with hints of red and yellow leaves. Foliage reports coming in from Rochester and the surrounding Monroe County area predict 5-10% change, with smaller trees beginning to show some yellow and red leaves of average brilliance. Larger trees like maples, oaks, and locusts remain green. Shrubs like burning bush are turning red at the tips, and there is plenty of golden rod, but no asters. Travelers will find more red and orange leaves on the western side of the county, towards the Brockport area.
In Ontario County, foliage spotters in Victor expect less than 10% change, with most leaves still green. In Tompkins County, foliage spotters in Ithaca predict less than 10% change with hints of yellow and orange beginning to pop. Tioga County spotters reporting from Owego anticipate more than 5% foliage change, with mostly green and brown leaves. Most reports coming in from the Syracuse area in Onondaga County predict less than 5% transition, with pockets of foliage near 10% change and mostly yellow leaves.
In the Greater Niagara region, Genesee County spotters in Batavia are predicting 15% change with some yellow leaves of average brilliance. In the central portion of Erie County, reports from East Aurora predict under 10% change, with muted shades of yellow and brown.
In the Hudson Valley, Orange County foliage spotters in Goshen predict up to 10% foliage change this weekend with yellow and red leaves beginning to appear.
On Long Island, spotters in Suffolk County at the Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island predict a little more than 5% change, with touches of red and purple leaves just beginning to appear over the mostly green backdrop.
