I know, I know, we think we’re the best at everything—but we really are! And a forecast from AccuWeather exclaiming that Upstate New York will have the best fall foliage on the Northeast only further proves our point. So forget about your cottage trip to Vermont, and book a cozy Airbnb in none other than New York State!
In their fall foliage forecast, AccuWeather confirms that Upstate New York, alongside Northern Pennsylvania, will show the most beautiful fall colors along the Northeast, especially in areas like the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes.
So what makes for great fall foliage? According to AccuWeather, the perfect ingredients for beautiful fall foliage start with rainfall and sunshine. Precipitation is kind of a Goldilocks situation: too little rain can cause a drought, which can result in dull leaf colors and early shedding, while too much rain can lead to mold growth and a surplus of insects. Moreover, sunny days and cool nights make for the most vibrant colors as this combination accelerates the breakdown of green chlorophyll, which is responsible for a leaf’s gorgeous colors.
Fall foliage only remains at its peak for a very short period of time so it’s important to catch the colors while you can. “Plan your trip ahead of time. Get to those places because they fill up fast,” advises meteorologist Paul Pastelok. “Beating the crowds is also key, so experts suggest arriving at parks and hiking trails early in the day.”
Experts continue to predict that New York’s fall colors will reach peak foliage as soon as late September through mid-October. However, NYC tends to be on the later end of the spectrum, with peak colors as late as early November. You can track the status of NYC’s fall foliage with I Love NY’s weekly foliage reports.
The forecast also suggests which areas of the country will experience less color change. With their prediction of a “second summer” across the eastern states, New England through the southern Appalachians are expected to lack their usual luster of autumn colors this year. The humid conditions and tropical moisture could likely cause the aforementioned mold and insects, echoed Pastelok.
And in case you’re wondering what weather to expect for winter, let’s just say it’ll be…well, something.