New York State’s first bursts of peak fall color are anticipated to arrive this weekend in some parts of the Adirondacks and Catskills, with near-peak and midpoint-of-change foliage spreading through much of the rest of those regions and in a few other areas of the state. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.
In Niagara County, spotters say there will be a 30% change in Lewiston with yellow and brown leaves and a 10% change in Niagara Falls with touches of yellow and orange leaves.
Locations with the most significant foliage change this weekend will include Benson, Old Forge, Lake Pleasant, Newcomb, Mt. Arab, Tupper Lake, Wilmington and Wanakena (Adirondacks); Delhi, Colchester, Mountain Top, Hensonville and Highmount (Catskills); Watkins Glen (Finger Lakes); and Little Valley (Chautauqua-Allegheny).
Reports are obtained from more than 90 volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. I LOVE NY defines “peak” as the best overall appearance the foliage will have during the season, taking into account color transition, brilliance, and leaf droppage.
Other nearby foliage reports:
Orleans County
• 10% change in Albion with average to bright red, orange and yellow leaves.
Erie County
• 15% change in Buffalo with an emerging mix of fall colors.
• 35% change in East Aurora with pops of yellows and reds.
Wyoming County
• Up to 40% change at Letchworth State Park in Warsaw with emerging pockets of red and orange leaves.
Cattaraugus County
• 60% change in Little Valley with yellow and orange leaves.
• 45% change at Allegany State Park in Salamanca with shades of yellow and red on maples, and mostly green leaves on oaks.
Chautauqua County
• 40% change in Chautauqua at Chautauqua Institution and along Chautauqua Lake with bright shades of yellow, orange and red.
• 40% change at the Heron Farm & Event Center in Sherman with bright gold and red leaves.
Chemung County
• Up to 40% change in Elmira with muted to average orange and yellow leaves.
Cortland County
• 25% change in Willet and Virgil with yellow, gold, and a few orange leaves, plus some mostly green trees.
Livingston County
• 20% change in Geneseo with touches of yellow and red leaves.
Monroe County
• Nearly 20% change in Rochester with increasing shades of yellow. Brilliant red and orange leaves are emerging on some Autumn Blaze maples.
Onondaga County
• Up to 15% change at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville with red and yellow leaves on treetops.
Ontario County
• Up to 40% change in Canandaigua with bright red and orange leaves.
• Less than 5% change in Farmington.