Leaf change slower and colors subdued after unseasonably warm weather

This is the third 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 September 27 – October 3, 2017

Colorful peak and near peak fall foliage will be found in the Adirondacks and Catskills regions this weekend, according to volunteer observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program. Several days of unseasonably warm weather seem to have slowed down the color progression and may be causing some leaves to drop.

In the Adirondacks region, foliage change ranges from just beginning to past peak. InEssex County, spotters in Lake Placid are expecting near peak to peak fall foliage this weekend. Color change will be 95-100 percent in the higher elevations of the High Peaks, and 80 percent in the village area. The leaves of muted to moderate brilliance include shades of orange, yellow, gold, maroon and red. At Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, look for 50-60 percent color change and more red, yellow, orange and purple leaves appearing. In the surrounding areas, expect 45-50 percent color change and midpoint conditions with moderate shades of red, orange and some yellow.

Spotters in the Lake Champlain area around Crown Point predict 20-30 percent color change this weekend, with greater transition in elevated areas. Colors are more subdued in the valley with more golden yellows, and some oranges, reds and russets emerging from the green. In Ticonderoga, look for foliage change up to 25 percent this weekend with muted to average touches of orange and red. Foliage spotters in the Schroon Lake area of Essex County, expect just 20 percent leaf change this weekend with some patches of bright color emerging from the mostly green backdrop. Look for touches of orange and a little bright red. Spotters in Willsboro along the Adirondack Coast near Lake Champlain predict just 10 percent color change for the coming weekend, with mostly green leaves along with some brown leaves.

Spotters in the Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab areas of Franklin County predict 85-90 percent color change this weekend as a mellow yellow, bronze, copper and ginger haze dominates the landscape with sporadic hues of scarlet, rhubarb and burgundy. The foliage will be close to past peak, with many leaves intact for transition. Spotters reporting from Saranac Lake expect near peak conditions with 80 percent color change and a gorgeous mix of various shades of red, orange, and yellow leaves of average brilliance. In the northern portion of the county, spotters in Malone expect slightly more than 30 percent color change this weekend with growing pods of color that will blanket the rolling hills. There are still plenty of green leaves, along with orange, burgundy and ruby to accent the sunsets.

In Hamilton County, observers in Speculator expect a range of near peak to past peak foliage this weekend with up to 70 percent color change. The fall colors are muted and include shades of red and yellow, with considerable green remaining. Leaf droppage is higher than usual, with reports noting that many leaves have already fallen. Foliage spotters from Inlet expect just past peak foliage this weekend with considerable leaf droppage and subdued shades of dark red, dark brown and yellow. In Long Lake, 40-45 percent color change is predicted for the weekend with shades of deep red, and some yellow beginning to show. Most birch trees in the area have lost their leaves, while maple trees are still mostly green.

Look for near peak foliage this weekend in the Old Forge area of Herkimer County. Color change will be around 70 percent with a mix of reds and burgundy, along with emerging yellows and oranges of average brilliance. Foliage spotters in northern Warren County communities of North Creek, Gore, Brant Lake, Chestertown, Pottersville, Stony Creek and Thurmanexpect 25 percent change and midpoint conditions this weekend with some bright reds along with some shades of yellow, orange and rust. In the southern portion of the county, spotters in Bolton Landing, Glens Falls, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury and Warrensburg report that the landscape is still primarily green with hints of change seen in spots of yellows, reds, oranges and rusts.

In the Catskills region, Delaware County foliage has been slow to change over the past week. This weekend, look for 65 percent color change and near peak shades of muted gold throughout the county. Spotters in Greene County reporting from above 1500′ expect up to 75 percent color change and near peak conditions in these elevations with bright red, yellow and orange leaves. Lanesville spotters expect 35-45 percent color change. Fall shades of amber, yellow, salmon, red and some crimson are appearing, but little has changed from last week.

At Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, Ulster County, foliage observers expect 45-50 percent color change with shades of red, yellow and brown. In Sullivan County, foliage spotters are calling for 35 percent color change by the weekend with touches of yellow, bright red and purple leaves accenting the mostly green landscape. In Ulster County, foliage observers in Kingston expect 20 percent color change this weekend with subdued to average patches of red, yellow, orange and burgundy leaves appearing.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, spotters reporting from Northville at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center expect 35-40 percent color change this weekend with shades of yellow and brown, along with some reds and orange, approaching midpoint of change. Leaf spotters in Altamont and Thacher Park project 25-30 percent color change for the weekend, with mostly green leaves accented by touches of yellow and brown. In Saratoga Springs expect about 25 percent color change this weekend with muted to average shades of green, yellow and orange visible throughout the area, along with some subtle golds.

In Rensselaer County, spotters report noticeable changes taking place in the eastern and northeastern portion of the county, with 15-25 percent color transition expected this weekend. Look for shades of yellow, orange and red standing out among the mostly green foliage. More color is showing in the higher elevations of the eastern and northern parts of the county, where the leaves are approaching midpoint of change. Look for 25-35 percent color change with varying shades of average to bright orange, yellow and red. In Schenectady County, Glenville spotters note muted to average yellow and gold leaves, particularly in sumacs, and expect 25 percent color change this weekend.

In Central New York, Herkimer County spotters in Mohawk are predicting near peak conditions for the weekend with 75 percent color change and very bright red and orange leaves. In Otsego County, observers in Cooperstown expect foliage at midpoint of change with 60 percent color transition and average shades of yellow and orange. Chenango County spotters reporting from Norwich expect 50 percent color change this weekend with patches of yellow and brown leaves mixed in with the remaining green. In Oneida County, foliage spotters in Utica expect 40-50 percent color change by the weekend. There is considerable leaf droppage and still a predominance of green, but leaves of gold, amber and pale peach are slowly overtaking the landscape, along with tiny accents of red and orange.

In Howes Cave, Schoharie County, observers expect midpoint to near peak foliage this weekend with 30 percent or more color change and bright red, yellow and orange leaves. Broome County foliage observers in Binghamton expect 25 percent color change this weekend with subdued to average red, yellow and light green leaves. Spotters at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter expect 20 percent color change this weekend with shades of green transitioning to orange. Various reds are still emerging, and foliage should range from beginning to midpoint of change with many leaves dropping before full coloration. In Hamilton, Madison County spotters expect just a little more than 20 percent color change this weekend. Trees are still mostly green, giving way to touches of canary yellows, Baltimore oriole oranges and a little cardinal red, all of average brilliance.

Foliage in the Finger Lakes region is still mostly in the early stages, with some areas at or nearing midpoint of change. Chemung County foliage observers in Elmira forecast 60-65 percent color change and midpoint conditions for the weekend. Orange leaves of average brilliance dominate, along with some yellow leaves and scattered shades of red. In Seneca County, foliage will be approaching midpoint of change this weekend. Look for 40-50 percent color change and green and yellow leaves of average brilliance with hints of red appearing. Leaves will be nearing midpoint of change this weekend in Cortland County. Look for up to 40 percent transition with red, yellow and green leaves of average brilliance.

In the Greater Rochester area, look for 30 percent color change with mostly green leaves beginning to give way to yellow and yellow-green leaves of average brilliance, along with some red, dark red and russet leaves. There is a fall appearance in the trees, shrubs and undercover plants, and dry weather has added to some leaf droppage. Spotters reporting from north ofRochester, near Lake Ontario, expect more than 10 percent color change this weekend as more trees in the area are starting to display muted shades of yellow in their leaves and a few more are giving off faint touches of red and rust.

Spotters reporting from Corning, Hornell, Bath, Hammondsport and Keuka Lake in Steuben County predict 30 percent color change with shades of gold, yellow and orange of average brilliance beginning to show. Leaf peepers in Ithaca predict 25 percent foliage change this weekend with more touches of red, purple, yellow, orange and brown appearing. Ontario County foliage spotters reporting from Canandaigua expect 25 percent color change this weekend with average to bright orange and yellow, along with occasional pockets of bright reds with deep dark reds speckled throughout. In the higher elevations around Bristol Mountain, the leaves are changing more rapidly than the lakeshore elevations. In Livingston County, Geneseo spotters project 20-25 percent color change this weekend with yellow leaves emerging from the mostly green backdrop.

In Cayuga County, spotters reporting from Auburn expect 20 percent color change this weekend with touches of orange, red and yellow emerging from the mostly green backdrop. In Tioga County, Owego foliage reporters are calling for 20 percent color change this weekend and dull brown and yellow leaves mixing with the predominant green. In Onondaga County, expect foliage to still be in the beginning stages of change this weekend in the Syracuse area with no more than 15 percent transition and mostly green leaves along with some orange, purple and yellow leaves visible on hillsides surrounding the city. Spotters reporting from Watkins Glen in Schuyler County expect 10 percent color change this weekend with the emergence of some orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, foliage observers at Allegany State Park in Cattaraugus County expect 35 percent color change this weekend with touches of yellow and red leaves of average brilliance. More color is emerging in the hills, while the park’s oaks are still green. Spotters in Little Valley report very little change over the past week. Look for 20 percent leaf transition this weekend with touches of gold, rust and crimson leaves of average brilliance. Foliage hasn’t changed much over the past week in Chautauqua County. Spotters checking in from Chautauqua expect 10-15 percent color change in the northern and southern portions of the county and up to 25 percent change in the mid-county areas, where the elevation is higher. Look for touches of red, orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance.

In the Greater Niagara region, foliage will be in the early to midpoint stages this weekend, according to spotters in Perry, in Wyoming County. Look for 25 percent color change with increasing areas red, yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. Spotters reporting from Batavia expect 20 percent color change this weekend with some average shades of red beginning to appear. In Orleans County, expect just 15 percent color change this weekend with bright shades of green and gold, along with some reds, starting to pop. Erie County observers in Buffalo are predicting 10-15 percent color change this weekend with mostly green leaves. South of Buffalo, the hills are starting to show some shades of red and gold. In Springville, spotters are predicting 10 percent color change this weekend with some red leaves of average brilliance starting to show. In Niagara County, a bright range of all fall colors are just starting to emerge from the green, according to spotters in North Tonawanda. Look for 10 percent color change this weekend.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County spotters in Alexandria Bay predict foliage will be at midpoint of change this weekend with 50 percent color transition and orange and yellow leaves of average brilliance. In St. Lawrence County, Canton spotters predict 45-50 percent color change for the weekend, with some pockets of near peak and peak leaves. Look for red, yellow and orange fall colors of average brilliance. In Oswego County, look for 35 percent color change by this weekend with varying shades of red, orange and gold dotting the landscape throughout the northeastern portion of the county, while a subtle haze of orange, red, burgundy and purple continue to blanket the tree-line throughout southern region.

Color change is still minimal throughout the Hudson Valley. Columbia County leaf peepers in Hudson predict only slight change for the weekend. Look for 20-25 percent leaf transition and average to muted golden orange and yellow leaves. Higher elevations have a bit more fall color. In Dutchess County, Poughkeepsie leaf peepers expect up to 20 percent color change, with yellow leaves emerging, by the weekend with more color in higher elevations. Fall color change at Bear Mountain State Park in Rockland County should be around 15 percent this weekend with touches of gold beginning to appear. In New City, foliage spotters predict 20 percent foliage change this weekend with mostly green leaves accented by touches of orange and red leaves of average brilliance.

Foliage change on Long Island and in New York City is below 10 percent.