New York Fall Foliage Report – Week of October 4 – 10, 2017

 

New York Fall Foliage Report

Colorful peak and near peak foliage continues progression across New York State

Adirondacks, Catskills, Central New York and Thousand Islands-Seaway to see the most color this weekend

This is the fourth 2017 Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Fall Foliage Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon.

Week of October 4 – 10, 2017

Albany, N.Y. – Muted fall colors continue to dominate New York State’s autumn landscape with peak or near peak conditions expected this weekend in the Adirondacks, Catskills, Central New York, Thousand Islands-Seaway and some parts of the Finger Lakes regions, according to volunteer observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program. Many areas are seeing significant leaf droppage and a noticeable amount of leaves that haven’t changed or have dried on the trees. I LOVE NEW YORK defines “peak” foliage as the period when the leaves are displaying their best overall appearance of the season.

In the Adirondacks region, in Essex County, Lake Placid foliage will be at peak with 95-100 percent color change this weekend and a mix of brown, orange, maroon and yellow shades. Spotters at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington expect just past peak foliage with 70-80 percent leaf change and muted yellow and orange leaves, along with some green, but there has been significant leaf droppage. In the areas surrounding the mountain expect near peak to peak foliage with 75 percent color change and plenty of yellow and dark red leaves of average brilliance. Some of the red leaves dropped over the past week, but the colors are bright around the Ausable River.

In Ticonderoga, look for foliage to be approaching midpoint of change with 45-50 percent transition and orange, yellow and some red fall colors of average brilliance. In Schroon Lake look for foliage to be nearing midpoint with 35 percent color change and patches of intense reds and orange with some gold emerging from the green. In Crown Point, spotters are calling for 20-40 percent color change this weekend, and beginning to midpoint conditions, depending on location. Look for subdued shades of golden yellow, oranges, russet and a little red, with more color change as you climb away from Lake Champlain.

In Franklin County, foliage spotters in the Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab areas predict just past peak foliage this weekend with 95 percent transition and hues of mustard, goldenrod, pumpkin, russet, rhubarb and burgundy. Spotters here note that the color transition keeps progressing, while historically the areas should be well past peak. The foliage season in the area (and other areas in region) has been unusual, with record-setting hot temperatures, little precipitation and no appreciable frost in the month of September. Spotters in Saranac Lake expect near peak leaves this weekend with 80 percent color change and average hues of red, orange and yellow. The first leaves to change are already falling and the remaining green leaves are predicted to change quickly. Spotters in Malone expect 50 percent color change and bright red, orange and yellow near-peak foliage.

Hamilton County observers reporting from Inlet expect 75 percent color change with past peak conditions for the weekend. Colors are slightly flat, but cooler temperatures and a little rain seem to be bringing out the yellows and oranges. In Long Lake, expect midpoint to near peak conditions with 50 percent color change and fall shades of yellow. Maple trees have yet to change. Spotters reporting from Lake Pleasant expect 50 percent color change this weekend and past peak conditions. Prevailing fall colors include shades of orange and yellow of subdued brilliance. Many leaves have changed and dropped from the trees, but there seem to still be several that have yet to change.

In Herkimer County, spotters in Old Forge expect midpoint to near peak foliage this weekend with 60 percent color change and shades of dark red along with some orange, yellow and golds of average brilliance emerging. Leaves are still primarily green in Warren County with scattered oranges, rusts, yellows and reds. This weekend, look for 35-40 percent color change in the northern portion of the county, 30-35 percent in the southern areas.

In the Catskills region, look for near peak or peak foliage in the northern Catskills at elevations above 1500′. Spotters reporting from the higher elevations of Greene County predict color change of up to 90 percent with red, orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Look for about 40 percent change by the weekend in the lower elevations of the county, with primarily red, yellow and orange leaves.

Delaware County foliage will be at 70 percent change and near peak this weekend. Look for subdued golds and a considerable amount of green remaining. Foliage at midpoint of change will be found throughout Sullivan County this weekend. Spotters expect 45 percent color change and mostly bright red and orange leaves with a touch of yellow and purple. In Kingston, Ulster County, very few leaves changed over the past week. This weekend look for 15-20 percent color change with touches of brown, yellow, orange and burgundy starting to appear.

In Central New York, Herkimer County spotters reporting from Mohawk expect near peak leaves this weekend with 90 percent leaf change and brilliant red and orange leaves, along with some gold and purple. Oneida County spotters in Uticapredict 60 percent color change by the weekend with a muted color palette of pale green and olive, along with shades of gold and yellow emerging. Subtle accents of rose and salmon are also present. In Cooperstown, Otsego County, foliage will be midpoint to near peak this weekend with 50–60 percent of the leaves changed. Dominant fall colors are yellow and orange, along with some shades of red. Leaves will be 50 percent changed this weekend in Chenango County. Colors are subdued shades of yellow and brown and the foliage is at midpoint to near peak of change. Montgomery County spotters at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter predict 40 percent leaf change and foliage at midpoint this weekend with some brilliant shades of yellow and orange emerging from the dull green background. Also look for dark shades of red. Spotters reporting from Howes Cave in Schoharie County expect 30-40 percent color change with bright red and orange leaves, along with some bright yellows.

In Broome County, spotters in Binghamton predict beginning to midpoint conditions this weekend with 35 percent change and touches of red, yellow and light green leaves of average brilliance. There hasn’t been that much change over the past week in Madison County, according to spotters in Hamilton. Look for 25 percent color transition this weekend with touches of canary yellows, Baltimore oriole oranges and a little cardinal red appearing over the predominantly green backdrop.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County spotters checking in from Alexandria Bay predict near peak foliage for the weekend with 80 percent color change and dominant shades of bright red and orange. Leaves will be around midpoint of color change this weekend in Oswego County. Look for 40-45 percent transition with dull burgundy and rust shades dominating the southern region, with average spots of orange, red, and purple showing through. To the north, you’ll find bright pops of gold, orange, red, and plum decorating the landscape. Expect a mix of foliage conditions averaging near peak in St. Lawrence County, according to leaf peepers in Canton. Look for 45-50 percent change with green, red, yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. Many pockets of color are near peak, while others are at peak or just past peak.

In the Finger Lakes region, expect near peak conditions in Chemung County this weekend with 70-75 percent color change. There is a bright mix of yellow and orange leaves, with reds developing quickly. Spotters are noting significant leaf droppage. Seneca County will be approaching midpoint of change this weekend with 50 percent color transition and an average mixture of green and yellow leaves along with hints of red starting to appear. In Tioga County, Owego spotters expect 50 percent color transition with green, brown and yellow leaves. Leaf peepers in Cortland County predict 45 percent color change with red, yellow and green leaves of average brilliance and foliage at midpoint of change.

In Rochester 40-50 percent color change is expected this weekend with fall colors of yellow, yellow-green, red, dark red and russet. Trees that normally turn yellow (some maples, yellow birch, ginkgo, and horse chestnut) are curiously remaining green to light green or green-yellow, but there is still enough color change to enjoy the fall outdoors. Spotters reporting from north of Rochester, near Lake Ontario, expect 15-20 percent color change this weekend as more trees in the area are starting to display mostly muted shades of yellow in their leaves and a few more are giving off touches of red or rust. Green still is the predominant color. In Yates County look for up to 40 percent change and midpoint conditions this weekend with orange, light yellow, and some red leaves of average brilliance. In Steuben County look for foliage to be at midpoint of change this weekend with 40 percent transition and gold, yellow and orange fall colors of average brilliance. Look for 35 percent color change and foliage at midpoint in Ontario County. Average to bright shades of orange and brown are interspersed with the dominant green, along with occasional pockets of yellow and red.

In Auburn, Cayuga County spotters expect 25 percent color change this weekend with touches of orange, red and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Livingston County foliage spotters in Geneseo expect 25 percent color change with crimson and burgundy leaves of average brilliance in the higher elevations, and yellow leaves with bursts of red around the lakeshores. Foliage spotters reporting from the western suburbs of Syracuse expect 25 percent color change with green leaves still dominating the landscape, but noticeable changes taking place as yellow leaves begin to color the hillsides surrounding the city. Spotters checking in from the Syracuse University campus predict just 15 percent change for the city this weekend with touches of yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance.

In Schuyler County, foliage reporters in Watkins Glen expect 20 percent color change with yellow leaves of average brilliance coming on strong, along with red and orange leaves. Tompkins County foliage spotters in Ithaca expect 20 percent color change with touches of red, purple, yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance starting to appear.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, Fulton County spotters in Northville at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center expect midpoint conditions this weekend. Look for 45 percent color change with subdued shades of yellow and brown, along with some remaining shades of red and orange. In Rensselaer County, spotters predict 30-40 percent color transition and foliage approaching midpoint of change. In the higher elevations of the county, look for a beautiful combination of bright shades of light green, orange, yellow and red leaves. Spotters in the Altamont area of Albany County around Thacher Park, expect 40-60 percent color change and midpoint conditions with yellow, brown and some red leaves of average brilliance.

In Saratoga County, Saratoga Springs observers expect midpoint conditions this weekend with 35 percent color change. Colorful bursts of reds, burgundy, deep oranges and bright yellows, along with amber and green, are visible throughout the county. Schenectady County has seen a small increase in color since last week and should be at 20 percent change this weekend, according to spotters in Glenville. Look for some bright red, yellow and gold leaves appearing over the green backdrop.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, spotters in Cattaraugus County in Salamanca at Allegany State Park expect beginning to midpoint conditions with 40 percent change and average touches of yellow and red. Oak trees in the park are still green. Leaf peepers in Little Valley note significant foliage change over the past week. Look for 25 percent color change and average leaves of gold, rust and crimson emerging. Look for up to 25 percent color change in northern and southern Chautauqua County with some red, orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance. The higher elevation mid-county area will see around 30 percent color change.

Foliage throughout the Greater Niagara region is mostly in the beginning stage of transition. Look for 30 percent color change in Wyoming County. Leaves are still mostly green, but there are increasing spots of red, yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. In Genesee County, look for beginning to midpoint conditions this weekend with 30 percent color change as a mix of colors is developing. In Erie County, Buffalo observers predict 15-20 percent color change this weekend with average to bright shades of yellow, burgundy and red starting to appear. In Springville, look for 15 percent change with some red and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Foliage spotters in Albion, in Orleans County, expect 20 percent color change this weekend with shades of green and gold of average brilliance, and some shades of red just starting to pop. Leaves are just barely changing in Niagara County, according to spotters in North Tonawanda. Look for 10 percent color change and bright yellow leaves beginning to emerge.

In the Hudson Valley, Columbia County spotters reporting from Hudson expect 35-45 percent leaf change with golden-orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance, along with some orange and red leaves, emerging from the green. Spotters in New City in Rockland County expect the leaves to be approaching midpoint of change by the weekend with 40 percent color transition and some bright orange, red and yellow fall colors. Observers at Bear Mountain State Park predict 25 percent color change with mostly muted leaves of gold and red, with pockets of bright leaves on trees inside the park.

Orange County foliage spotters note that leaves have been slow to change. Look for 30-35 percent color change this weekend with mostly green and some muted shades of red. Some leaf droppage is reported. Little color change is expected in Dutchess County, according to Poughkeepsie spotters. Look for 15-20 percent color transition with some bright yellow and gold, and deeper red and purple colors coming in. Foliage is just beginning to change in Westchester County. Spotters reporting from White Plains expect about 15 percent color change this weekend with some yellow, orange and green leaves of average brilliance.

Foliage change on Long Island and in New York City is at five percent or less.

Author: Harlem Valley News