Fall color hits peak in the Adirondacks and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom
Leaf color is at or near peak across much of the Adirondacks and northern Vermont, state foliage reports show. Pennsylvania's northern tier is close behind, with Potter and McKean counties peaking around this weekend. Cold nights this week could speed the change, while wind and rain could cut it short.
Fall color has arrived in the high country of the Northeast. New York's latest foliage report shows peak or near-peak color across much of the Adirondacks, the Times Telegram reported Oct. 4. Vermont says its Northeast Kingdom is at peak, with the Green Mountains close behind.
In New York, volunteer spotters near Old Forge and Lake Placid report about 80% and 75% color change, both at peak. The Tupper Lake area, near Mount Arab, is at 85%. Whiteface Mountain sits at 75% and nearing peak. In the Catskills, upper elevations near Windham show about 80% change, while Belleayre is at 65%. Closer to New York City, color is still early, at 5% to 20%.
Vermont's weekly report points drivers to US 302 from Barre east to the New Hampshire line. It suggests hikes in Worcester, Belvidere and Groton for wide views.
Pennsylvania is a step behind but moving fast, because recent rain eased drought stress, and the brightest color is in the northern tier and on Laurel Summit, the state's forestry agency said. Potter and McKean counties should peak between the first and second weekends of October. Route 6 near Galeton is a good drive. Lycoming County should peak in the second or third week.
Weather will decide how long the show lasts. Cold nights help color develop faster, Pennsylvania foresters say. But strong wind and heavy rain can strip leaves early. Frost and freeze alerts are posted this week for parts of upstate New York, Vermont and northern Pennsylvania.
Here's the science behind the show. As days shorten, trees stop making chlorophyll, the green pigment that powers leaves, which lets yellow and orange pigments show through. The bright reds come from a different pigment, anthocyanin, which trees make in the fall, Vermont's forestry department explains.
Plan ahead: Peak weekends bring heavy traffic on popular routes. New York, Vermont and Pennsylvania update their foliage reports weekly, so check before you drive.
What we know: The Adirondacks and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom are at or near peak now.
What we don't: How much color will survive this week's cold and any wind that follows.
Where outlets agree New York's foliage report, carried by the Times Telegram, and Vermont's state report both show peak color now in northern mountain areas, with lower elevations still turning.
Where they differ Pennsylvania foresters say cold nights will speed up color, but they warn wind and rain could cut the season short, so how long peak lasts is uncertain.