With very warm weather across New England during the final days of summer, and the first day of fall, it may not feel like foliage season just yet.
Don’t be fooled though, we’re very close to enjoying beautiful color in parts of the area.
What's Happening Now
Through mid-September, color is spotty in much of Southern New England. That means just a few trees are showing signs of yellows, oranges, or reds.
In far Northern New England, from Northern Vermont and Northern New Hampshire, into far Northern Maine, low to moderate color is already visible. That means about a third of trees there are displaying nice color.
When Peak Foliage Arrives
Peak foliage happens at a slightly different time each year. The color is brought out by a combination of chilly nights, and sunny, warm days. Too much rain or wind during the Autumn can stifle color, by contrast.
U.S. & World
So far, it looks like things are shaping up for a nice show this year.
With that in mind, peak color usually arrives in Northern Maine, Northern New Hampshire, and in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom during the final days of September, and the first days of October.
Peak foliage is most likely in the rest of Vermont, Central New Hampshire, Central Maine, and in the Berkshires in the first two weeks of October. That’s why Columbus Day weekend is historically one of the busiest in Northern New England.
For Southern New Hampshire, much of Western Massachusetts, and Coastal Maine peak foliage arrives around the middle of October.
Much of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts usually sees peak foliage arriving in the final two weeks of October.
For parts of Cape Cod and the Islands peak foliage can actually be as late as early November, unless early season Nor’Easters bring lots of wind that strips the trees.
