New York Fall Foliage Report – Week of October 18 – 24, 2017

 

New York Fall Foliage Report

Beautiful peak foliage continues progression across New York State

Peak Conditions Expected in Eight Regions This Weekend

This is the sixth 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 18 – 24, 2017

Foliage change continues to slowly progress across New York State, according to volunteer observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program. Areas in eight of the state’s 11 vacation regions should experience peak foliage this weekend. I LOVE NEW YORK defines “peak” foliage as the period when the leaves are displaying their best overall appearance of the season.

Foliage will range from midpoint of change to past peak in the Adirondacks this weekend. Essex County spotters in Ticonderoga expect peak foliage this weekend with 95 percent or more change with bright autumn shades of orange and red. Spotters in Crown Point predict 70-95 percent color change, with increasing color change as you climb away from Lake Champlain. Lingering greens are mixed with average shades of gold, yellow, bronze, orange and russet, along with a few shades of red.

Shades of yellow, orange and rust, along with some pockets of red leaves, will be found throughout Warren County. The northern portion of the county will be near peak, while the southern portion will be around midpoint of change.

Foliage in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks will be mostly past peak this weekend. Lower elevations surrounding Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington have the best color, while leaves are past peak on the mountain itself. Spotters note some muted yellow and orange leaves and much leaf droppage. Spotters reporting from Hammond Pond in North Hudson expect past peak foliage this weekend with complete leaf change featuring bright yellow and red leaves.

In Franklin County, foliage is past peak in Malone. Expect nearly 80 percent color change this weekend with a variety of warm browns, deep reds and maroons. Although foliage is past peak in the Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab areas of the county, spotters report some above average brilliance in the remaining leaves which, combined with warmer weather, are still providing enjoyable leaf peeping adventures. Shades include canary, goldenrod, russet, mahogany and pumpkin. Spotters reporting from Saranac Lake expect 90 percent color change which, despite being past peak, offer a soothing blend of soft reds, oranges, and yellows.

In Hamilton County, Inlet’s foliage will be past peak this weekend, with some bright pops of color. Wind and rain have knocked most leaves to the ground. Foliage in Speculator will be past peak. Some pops of red and yellow are still visible, but most leaves have fallen. In Herkimer County, Old Forge will be past peak with 85 percent color change and gold, yellow and copper leaves of average brilliance.

John Boyd Thatcher State Park

In the Capital-Saratoga region, spotters at Thacher State Park in Albany County expect 80 percent or more color change this weekend with peak to past peak conditions and muted shades of yellow, along with touches of red, brown and green leaves of average brilliance. In Rensselaer County, vivid color changes are expected to bring near peak foliage to the eastern and northern parts of the county, with 65-75 percent transition. In the western and southern portions of the county, look for near peak leaves with 55-70 percent color change. Colors range from bright, purplish-reds through all shades of red, orange and yellow, with a lot of remaining green. Higher elevations have significant leaf droppage.

In Schenectady County spotters in Glenville expect 40 percent color change for the weekend and near peak conditions with orange and red leaves, along with much remaining green. In Fulton County, spotters reporting from Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Northville expect past peak foliage this weekend with 95 percent color change and a variety of muted yellow and brown leaves. Saratoga County spotters reporting from Saratoga Springs expect 85 percent color change and bright near peak or at peak leaves of shades of yellow, red, orange and green.

Expect a wide range of foliage conditions this weekend in the Catskills region. In Sullivan County, leaf peepers expect peak viewing with 65 percent color change and bright red, purple and orange leaves. In Ulster County, spotters in Kingston predict near peak foliage with 65 percent color change and some bright yellow, orange and red leaves. Delaware County will see nearly complete leaf transition and just past peak foliage this weekend with gold and red leaves of average to bright brilliance. In the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County, wind and a cold front have pushed the leaves past peak, but expect good color in the lower elevations of the county. Look for average shades of red, yellow and orange.

In Central New YorkNorwich-based spotters in Chenango County predict 85 percent color change this weekend with peak conditions in the county’s hilly regions and near peak elsewhere. Look for brown and yellow leaves of average brilliance along with some small pops of red and orange. In Madison County, spotters reporting along Rt. 46 from Bouckville to Oneida are calling for near peak foliage with 50 percent color change this weekend highlighted by orange, yellow and red leaves of average brilliance.

Leaves will be just a little past peak in Binghamton. Spotters there expect 65 percent color change and bright green, yellow and red leaves. Foliage will also be just past peak in Otsego County, according to spotters in Cooperstown, who predict up to 70 percent color change and average shades of yellow, orange and green. Spotters in Herkimer County based in Mohawkexpect past peak foliage this weekend with nearly complete color change and red and orange leaves of average brilliance along with some golds and purples.

In Oneida County, Utica observers expect nearly complete color transition and just past peak leaves this weekend with some areas of good color remaining. Look for subdued shades of gold, yellow and amber with bright orange accents. Schoharie County foliage spotters in Howes Cave expect leaves to be just past peak with 60 percent color change and bright, very brilliant red, orange, yellow and purple foliage among the remaining green leaves.

In the Finger Lakes region, foliage in Ithaca will be at peak this weekend with 95 percent color change and mostly purple leaves of average brilliance, along with some red leaves, and touches of yellow, orange and brown. Peak foliage should arrive in Tioga County this weekend, according to spotters in Owego. Expect 75 percent color change and muted brown, green and yellow leaves. Spotters in Corning project near peak foliage for Steuben County. Look for up to 80 percent color change and red, burgundy, gold, yellow and orange fall colors of average brilliance. In Cortland County, near peak foliage is expected with 55 percent leaf change and red, yellow and green leaves of average brilliance.

In Livingston County 50-60 percent leaf change is predicted. The southern part of the county has some brilliant fall colors and will be near peak to peak this weekend, while the northern part of the county will experience more subdued foliage at peak to just past peak. Near peak foliage is expected in Ontario County. Look for 70 percent color change and a mix of orange, yellow, and brown hues. Occasional shades of red and some remaining shades of green may be spotted as well. Leaves are expected to still be at midpoint of change in Cayuga County this weekend. Look for 65 percent or more color change and green, orange, red and yellow leaves of average brilliance.

Andrew Cuomo Canalway Trail

 

In Monroe County, leaves in the Rochester area are changing quickly and should be at midpoint this weekend. Although they still tend to be yellow in color, there are many trees with a lot of green and some touches of red and orange. In the Greater Rochester area, spotters reporting from Brighton expect 70-75 percent color change this weekend.  Foliage will be between midpoint to near peak, with subtle shades of light green and yellow, along with some red, dark red, russet and orange leaves.

Leaves will be at midpoint of change this weekend in Seneca County with 65 percent color transition and average to bright yellow and orange leaves. Spotters note that leaves are falling prior to much color change. In Schuyler County, Watkins Glen observers expect 40-50 percent color change and many shades of yellow and orange of average brilliance, along with some green and red. In Onondaga County, foliage observers reporting from the campus of Syracuse University in Syracuse predict just 30 percent color transition and beginning to midpoint leaves with a variety of colors of average brilliance and much green remaining. Wayne County foliage will be at midpoint of change, according to spotters in Lyons. Look for 50 percent color transition and green, orange and red leaves of average brilliance.

Color change is still low in the Rushville area of Yates County. Look for up to 30 percent transition this weekend with red and yellow leaves of average brilliance still emerging from the prevailing green. Foliage will be past peak in Chemung County.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny regionChautauqua County spotters project midpoint conditions for the weekend with 45 percent color change in the county’s northern and southern portions and around 50 percent change in the higher elevation middle portion. Predominating colors are green, gold, red, orange and yellow, and the brilliance is average to bright.

Allegany State Park’s foliage will be past peak this weekend. There are still some colorful areas if you are planning to visit, with shades of orange and yellow. Oaks are just starting to turn color, while most of the maples have lost their leaves. Also in Cattaraugus County, spotters in Little Valley expect leaves to be past peak this weekend. After much rain and wind over the weekend, many leaves are on the ground. Look for 60 percent color change and gold, green, brown, orange and rust leaves of average brilliance.

In the Greater Niagara region, leaves should be 60 percent changed and at peak this weekend in Genesee County, according to spotters in Batavia. There is a good mix of average to bright fall colors. In Erie County, spotters in Springville expect near peak foliage this weekend with 80 percent color change and muted yellow and orange leaves. Expect 35-45 percent color change and near peak foliage for the Buffalo area with average autumn shades of yellow, red, purple and orange, along with various shades of green. The Buffalo Southtowns should be around peak.

In Orleans County spotters are calling for 50 percent color change this weekend despite plenty of green. Midpoint conditions are expected with more gold leaves of average brilliance appearing, along with shades of red and purple. There has been significant leaf droppage due to a windstorm earlier in the week. In Wyoming County, spotters expect leaves to be at the midpoint stage with increasing amounts of average to bright shades of red, yellow and orange. Color change is still low in Niagara County and not expected to get past the beginning stage through the weekend. Look for 25 percent leaf transition and a mix of fall colors with bright yellow predominating.

Allegany State Park

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County spotters reporting from Alexandria Bay predict leaves will range from peak to past peak this weekend as recent wind and heavy rain brought down a lot of leaves. Look for nearly complete color transition with red, orange and gold leaves of average brilliance. In St. Lawrence County, color changes ranging from 50-75 percent are predicted for the weekend. In the Adirondacks portion of the county, foliage ranges from peak to past peak. The St. Lawrence River Valley has some pockets that are near peak and at peak, with green, red, yellow and orange shades of average brilliance.

Look for 60-70 percent color change and near peak foliage in Oswego County by the weekend. From the back country to the city streets, the county’s landscape continues to feature olive, plum, pumpkin and mustard tones with an occasional pop of brighter red, orange and yellow.

In the Hudson Valley, near peak and peak foliage will arrive in Columbia County this weekend, according to spotters in Hudson. Look for 65-75 percent color change and green, golden orange, and yellow leaves of average brilliance. Orange County spotters reporting from Goshen are expecting near peak foliage this weekend with 50 percent color change and a bright array of leaves, including glowing reds, yellows and oranges, and lots of remaining shades of green.

In Rockland County, spotters checking in from New City expect 60 percent color change and near peak foliage over the weekend with bright orange, green, red, yellow and purple leaves. At Bear Mountain State Park, foliage will be at midpoint of change with 55 percent color transition and muted gold and red leaves mixed with much remaining green. Colors have been sluggish to change in Dutchess County, according to spotters in Poughkeepsie. Look for near peak conditions with 35 percent color change and subtle shades of orange and yellow. Westchester County spotters reporting from White Plains expect 30 percent color change with mostly green leaves, along with some shades of red and orange of average brilliance.

On Long Island, spotters reporting from East Meadow in Nassau County note that trees in many areas have started turning color, with some areas around ponds and lakes that are exceptionally colorful. However, there is still plenty of green across western Long Island. For this weekend, observers expect 50 percent overall color change and midpoint conditions with yellow, orange, red, purple and green leaves of average brilliance. Color change over the past week has been sluggish in Suffolk County, according to spotters at Tanger Outlet Center in Riverhead. This weekend, look for about 15 percent color change with yellow leaves of average brilliance, along with some purple and much green.

In New York City, spotters reporting from the Morris Park section of The Bronx predict 25 percent color change by this weekend as more yellow and reds of average brilliance are starting to appear. Colorful leaves have also begun falling to the ground.

Author: Harlem Valley News