2024 New England Fall Foliage Update | Surprises, Bright Spots, and Where to Go This Weekend

First things first: Your last foliage update in September said that a dry late summer would lead to an earlier, briefer peak wave. How is that playing out now that the leaves are changing?

The forecast got even more complex after the last update, but the colors are really coming on strong now and there’s a lot of great fall foliage to see going into the long weekend. But it certainly didn’t progress like normal this year.

Early in September, it was dry and cool at night, so some leaves started to turn early. Then it got hot again. with northern New England warming into the 80s many days in a row. This caused much of the early color to brown and fall, creating some concern. Fortunately, a return to cool weather and a bit of rain have put things pretty much back on track.

In general, peak is a bit early this year, but the big weekend will still have lots of color.

You also thought that the colors would be bright. What have leaf peepers been seeing in Northern New England?

Some places have been very bright! I went through Pinkham Notch this weekend and it was as bright as I’ve seen it in years. But some areas are less bright. The heart of Franconia Notch and Smugglers Notch were rust, orange, and even brown this year. If I were to guess, it’s because thinner soil and steep slopes retain less water, and they couldn’t endure the heat and lack of rain. It was just too much.

The good news is that just outside of these notches things improved. There were bright colors north of Stowe, Vermont, and brilliant colors in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. So overall it’s been bright, with some patchy dull areas.

Where has peaked already? How long is peak lasting this year?

Peak started in late September this year in the far north and upper elevations. The colors held on for a week or so, but are fading along the spine of the Green Mountains, the high peaks of the White Mountains, and the mountains of western Maine. The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Great North Woods of New Hampshire are past peak. And the Crown of Maine will be soon, too.

But “past peak” doesn’t mean “no color.” There are lots of rusts and yellows left, and sometimes pops of brighter colors. Young beech trees turn late, as do tamaracks, our deciduous conifer. So there’s still lots to see after peak but before stick season.

Where can people find the best foliage for Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend?

Many spots will have bright or peak colors for the long weekend, but they are areas further south and lower in elevation than is typical.

Most of Vermont’s lower elevations, the Monadnock and Lakes Regions of New Hampshire, and Maine’s Lakes and Mountains will all be near peak or peaking, with some variability. The Berkshires will be coming on strong this week, too, as will the two northern corners of Connecticut. 

There are a few weeks of peak foliage ahead in southern and coastal New England. Any changes to the forecast there?  

Things look on track to be a bit early and mostly bright. They’ve had some rain and the forests are primed to continue the wave south. The last areas to reach maximum brightness are always coastal Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Cape and Islands. These areas may not peak until late October, or even early November. And the first weekend in November is usually peak in downtown Boston, which is always spectacular! 

Have there been any surprises this year?

It’s been one surprise after another this year, with the early color, extended heat, and ultra-dry weather. But overall, the colors have held up well. There’s been more browning than initially predicted, but there’s been plenty of reds, too! New England tourists and leaf peepers should not be disappointed this year.

Where do you plan to go this long weekend?

I’m really excited about the prospect of “snowliage,” when there’s snow on mountain peaks with peak foliage forests below. It looks like there will be enough cold air late in the week for it to happen, so I hope to see it!

Otherwise, there are a couple of hikes in the southern White Mountains that have my eye, and the colors should be peaking there. The “52 With a View” list is ideal for foliage hikes, as their outlooks are usually right in the elevation for great color. So hopefully I’ll get out and hike!