When can you see the fall foliage in New England? Farmers' Almanac shares predictions

Ahjané Forbes, Doyle Rice and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY
·2 min read

As New Englanders slowly roll out their Apple Cider Doughnuts and Pumpkin Spice Lattes, they will soon enjoy the scenic views of the fall foliage.

Fall foliage is the scientific term that describes when the green leaves change their color to red, orange, or yellow. The phenomenon happens every year in certain areas across the United States and can be considered a “picture perfect” sight for residents and visitors.

Starting on Sept. 24, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont will begin to see beautiful fall-colored leaves, according to predictions from the Farmers’ Almanac.

New England boasts some of the most colorful fall foliage displays. Every year, about 10 million leafpeepers visit the region to enjoy the beauty of fall. Typically, northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and northwest Maine experience peak foliage early in October.

Parts of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania must wait until late into October, according to ExploreFall.com.

The Farmer’s Almanac said the following Northeast states will have the best sight of the fall leaves this year:

  • New York

  • Vermont

  • New Hampshire

  • Maine

  • Massachusetts

  • Rhode Island

  • Connecticut

  • Pennsylvania

  • New Jersey

  • Delaware

  • Maryland

How leaves change color in the fall

As the amount of daylight gets shorter in the fall, chlorophyll production in leaves slows down and eventually stops. Chlorophyll gives leaves a green color, so when these pigments are not visible, carotenoids, which produce yellow orange and brown colors, show through, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Bright light and excess plant sugars are abundant during the season, and they help produce anthocyanins, which add red to plants.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. "Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions," the Almanac said.

Warm, sunny days are good for vibrant fall colors, but only if they are accompanied by cool nights, according to the Weather Channel. Precipitation can also affect the color show – extreme drought and excessive rainfall are both detrimental to foliage.

Where and when leaves are predicted to change

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of how the 2023 foliage changed across the U.S.:

Drought can affect fall colors

According to the U.S. Forest Service, a severe summer drought can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. Drought was particularly harsh in the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians this summer, which could delay the fall foliage season there, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Fall colors should be vibrant in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fall Foliage 2024 in New England: See maps and forecast predictions

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