Color Changes Reported in Adirondacks, Capital-Saratoga and Thousand Islands-Seaway Regions

This is the first 2018 Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from field observers ad reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Fall Foliage Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon.

Week of September 12–18, 2018

New York State’s colorful foliage season has just begun, with the first significant signs of spectacular fall colors appearing in the Adirondacks, Thousand Islands-Seaway, and Capital-Saratoga regions, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NEW YORK program.

In the Adirondacks, spotters in Tupper Lake, Franklin County, are predicting up to 10 percent color change for the weekend with tinges of mustard, goldenrod, copper, burgundy, and an occasional crimson setting the stage for an impressive foliage display. At present, leaves are below average in brilliance, but that is expected to change with the arrival of evening frosts. Spotters in Saranac Lake expect up to 10 percent color change with leaves still predominantly green. Look for red leaves on red maple trees and various hues of yellow and orange on sugar maples. Essex County foliage spotters in Crown Point expect color changes between five and 15 percent, with most of the change occurring at higher elevations. Look for hints of rust with some occasional bright leaves.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County spotters in Alexandria Bay predict 10 percent color change for the weekend with some yellow leaves of average brilliance emerging from the green backdrop. In St. Lawrence County, spotters in Canton expect 10 percent color change with touches of yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. Oswego County leaf peepers expect five to 10 percent change by the weekend with some dull burgundy and brown hues emerging on the landscape.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, spotters reporting from Gloversville in Fulton County expect between 10 and 15 percent color change this weekend with touches of dull yellow and orange leaves.

The rest of the state reports five percent or less color change.