2024 New England Fall Foliage Update | Autumn Colors Set to Arrive Early

Signs of fall are emerging all over New England, and the earliest peak colors will be arriving soon! Conditions have changed quite dramatically since summer, though, and a few tweaks to the first 2024 fall forecast are needed. What are we expecting with the autumn colors NOW? Read on for the updated New England fall foliage forecast.

Jim, you’ve been very busy talking about fall foliage to local and national media since the original forecast in August. How have you been describing the outlook for this fall?  

With our first forecast in mid-August, we were optimistic about the prospects for a great fall foliage season. Many positive things had come together: a great spring, a summer that wasn’t too wet or dry, and a lack of bugs and caterpillars. The message was that forests were healthy, and with good fall weather, this year’s foliage could be spectacular.  

Your initial forecast predicted a bright season of fall color in New England. How’s that looking now?

Well, it’s interesting. The weather in September changed in ways that we were hoping. The humidity vanished, sunshine has been abundant, and we’ve even had a few nights dip into the thirties and forties. That would normally bring out the best color, but in contrast, there’s been absolutely no rain. 

It hasn’t rained in Boston since August 20th, four weeks ago and counting, and while Northern New England has seen some rainfall, it’s been scarce. This lack of moisture won’t ruin autumn, and it should still be bright, but it does change the outlook a bit. Back in August, we were watching for leaf fungus after endless humidity. At least fungus is no longer a concern.

Okay, so you thought we’d reach peak generally on time and it would last longer than normal. Has this forecast changed?

It will definitely shift with the lack of rain speeding up the process. I would look for peak colors to be a bit earlier than historical averages in the north now, and perhaps more of New England will turn all at once. Another trend with drought is that healthy leaves turn just as brightly, but the show is more brief. We saw this pattern in 2020, another drought year, but a dry spell this long and late is completely unprecedented, so we don’t have any past years to compare it to.

It’s a shame, as this year was so close to working out perfectly. We need weather like we’ve been having to bring out the best colors, but the lack of rain has been too much. A consolation, though, is that the maples should be trending towards red this year, and the birches that are turning now are bright yellow.

The questions we always get with the forecast are what does “on-time” mean and when will peak arrive at any location? How do you describe the progression of peak colors to leaf peepers?  

There’s a huge difference in the time that peak colors arrive across the region. The first areas to reach peak are the higher elevations in the northern states, usually by late September. Then it generally works downhill and southward, and then to the coast. Much of Northern New England, and Western Massachusetts reach peak in early October, while coastal and Southern New England will be mid to late October. The last areas to turn are the coastal cities, the shores of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the Cape and Islands. All these areas may not see peak color until early November. 

This year again, though, we anticipate things to be a bit ahead of schedule. Because the wave of color takes so long, visitors may miss peak color at any one location but rarely miss seeing some peak color during their trip to New England. Plans may just have to shift either earlier or southward.  

You highlighted Western Massachusetts, Central Vermont, and the Western White Mountains in New Hampshire in your first forecast. Are these still your top picks?  

Yes, these areas still do look the best. They had the best setup this spring and summer compared to averages, and they’ve actually gotten a little rain during the past few weeks. Outside of the dry weather, I don’t think there’s too much going wrong with the colors this year anywhere in the region, but these places seem to have the greatest odds of being the most spectacular.  

Are there any drives that should be especially nice this year?

Route 100 in Vermont would be my go-to drive this year if I had to pick just one. But other great options might include Route 7 in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, and Routes 25A and 25C through the Western White Mountains. Rangeley, Maine, and Dixville Notch in New Hampshire in the far north could also look spectacular this year, but I think those places will turn relatively soon!  

Where should leaf-peepers head in the next few weeks to see some early color? 

Every year people end up in their New England foliage destination too early, only to see a sea of green. If you want a unique experience in the next week or so, the highest elevations offer a beautiful autumn palette and great accessibility. You can drive or take a train to the top of Mount Washington, drive up Mount Mansfield, or hike any of the highest peaks. This year, even the Kancamagus Highway and Smugglers Notch will have early color.

Another great place to see early color is in bogs and wetlands, where red swamp maples turn early. There are opportunities to paddle and hike in early color all over New England. Otherwise, drive as far north as you can! 

Finally, what are you looking forward to most in the coming weeks?  

Fall in New England is about so much more than just the beautiful leaves. There are fairs and festivals and traditions and so much food. I’m looking forward to hot apple crisps, pies, maple cotton candy, cider donuts, and freshly picked apples! I can’t wait for the local fair, I’m looking forward to apple picking, and the country store has the best crisp. It’s going to be a delicious couple of weeks!  

But moreover, in this historic dry spell, I’m interested in seeing how it all turns out. We could see great color before we know it!  

SEE MORE:
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