How’s the Fall Foliage 2020 Forecast Looking? | Q&A With Yankee Foliage Expert Jim Salge

Ready for another colorful New England fall foliage season? I know I am — and so is Jim Salge, Yankee’s resident foliage expert. A former meteorologist at the Mount Washington Observatory, Jim is a photographer, outdoor enthusiast, and high school science teacher who loves exploring and documenting the New England landscape year-round, but he’s busiest in fall. Every year starting in August, Jim gets to work reporting on foliage for Yankee’s digital and social channels, offering forecast updates and insight into where to find the best color from September through October. With his first forecast for the 2020 season hot off the digital presses (see New England Fall Foliage | 2020 Forecast), I sat down with Jim to chat about the basics of foliage science, plus key predictions for this year’s forecast and tips for planning travel itineraries around peak fall color.

Fall Foliage 2020 | Q&A with Expert Jim Salge

First, let’s get a little background info. What makes for a “good” foliage year? New England rarely disappoints, because our average climate brings about great fall foliage. But if I could create the ideal setup, I’d want a reasonably long-lasting snowpack in winter, a reasonably wet spring, a normal summer without too much heat and humidity, and — this is the key — a fall with crisp, cold nights and warm, sunny days. That’s going to give you the best color. So how’s the fall foliage 2020 forecast looking so far?The potential for a great foliage season is really strong this year! Drought in summer (which New England has had this year) can lead to earlier and shorter color, but it can also make it really spectacular and intense if a couple of other factors come together to really punch things up. We don’t know quite yet if that will happen, but stay tuned. And check out the longer official forecast for more of the science behind the forecast scenarios. How does the fall foliage 2020 forecast compare with past years? With the exception of the drought, we have a really nice setup this year. There’s not a lot of fungus or pests. The forest was healthy heading into the summer, and really, we’re quite optimistic!I’ve seen a few leaves turning in my neighborhood and it’s only mid-August! Does that mean color is coming early?The short answer is no. You have to look at where the leaves are turning early. It’s usually in thin soils on ledges or along the highway, where you have young trees without established roots. If you look at the forest as a whole, it’s still holding pretty green. What will you be watching for in the next few weeks, as we wait for the real foliage to arrive? How much rainfall we get, and what type of rainfall it is. We really want the tropics to turn off here. We don’t want the humid air to continue or for any hurricanes to show up this season. What we want is rainfall to come from the north and for cold fronts to bring in the cooler air that will usher in the perfect crisp fall weather. With Covid-19 safety concerns, 2020 has been rough for keeping traditions. Can you give us some good news?I think it’s great how people have been turning to the outdoors as a fun and safe place to be. They’ve been enjoying nature and discovering new areas where they can get outside in their communities, and the opportunities for that are only going to continue into the fall. We’re definitely going to miss some of the bigger annual agricultural fairs and festivals, but things like foliage drives, hiking trails, and visiting apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes will still give us plenty of ways to experience the traditions of fall.

For folks who want to target peak color, when is the best time to plan a New England foliage getaway, day trip, or road trip? While it’s impossible to accurately predict peak this early in the season, you want to be aware that foliage could come in early because of the drought – especially if we get some cold air coming out of Canada in late September and early October, which could really kick-start the colors. That being said, the wave of peak color moves across New England very slowly, so you shouldn’t worry about missing peak at any particular location. If you can be flexible about moving north and south, or up in elevation, you should be able to find some great color at most points throughout the season. As a foliage guy and a photographer, you must have some favorite places to take in fall color, right?The White Mountains area is one of my favorites. It takes a week or two for peak color to move across the Whites, so I can get in a few weekends trips and still find beautiful foliage. Also, I’m a hiker, so for other hikers out there I want to highlight “52 with a View,” a list of 52 New Hampshire summits that each have a maintained hiking trail leading to a spectacular overlook. Some of the most popular natural attractions and trails may be extra crowded this year, so being prepared with a longer list of options will be helpful if you have to adjust your plans.So, speaking both for visitors and for locals looking to amp up their foliage road trips or staycations, how can we plan where and when to go this year?Right here on NewEngland.com and the Yankee social channels! In addition to the initial 2020 forecast, stay tuned for forecast updates in September and October; plus, once the color arrives, check out our weekly “Where to See Peak Foliage Now” series. Also on NewEngland.com you’ll find a peak foliage map, state foliage guides, ways to see foliage by train or boat, road trip itineraries, and where to find the best cider doughnuts, apple orchards, corn mazes, and more.  Bonus! See an extended version of this Q&A on Yankee’s Instagram feed (click here!), which includes Jim’s answers to questions from our IG audience, such as:

• Where are the best lesser-known places to check out foliage?
• Is a dry summer or a wet one better for fall color?
• Is September the best time to visit? Is there a time that’s less touristy?

See More: 14 Favorite Fall Drives in New EnglandPrettiest Fall Foliage Villages in Vermont10 Best Places to Visit in New England in Fall