2016 Foliage Report | Color Emerging Rapidly Across Northern New England
Now that cold temperatures have arrived, conditions are racing towards peak in the areas that typically turn earliest. Learn more in our latest 2016 foliage report!
By Jim Salge|Sep 30 2016|
Red Maples In Wetland Areas Are Already Blazing Brightly In Parts Of Massachusetts
Credit: John Burk
Great Color Is Emerging Near North Woodstock, NH, Where This Classic New England Scene Awaits This Weekend.
Credit: Kate StinnettCredit: Kate Stinnett Much of Northern New England received their first frost this weekend, and temperatures have been at or below normal for the better part of a week now. This reverses the recent trend that placed this September in the top ten warmest and stalled the progress of the foliage at the onset. Now that cold temperatures have arrived, conditions are racing towards peak in the areas that typically turn earliest. These areas generally include the northern portions of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, though there are surprising pops of early color throughout northern New England and down into Massachusetts.
Far Northern New Hampshire Had Great Color Last Weekend, And Peak Color Can Be Found This Weekend Here!
Credit: Chris WhitonCredit: Chris Whiton This weekend, the brightest, most consistent foliage will still be found only in the earliest-turning, far northern areas. The area from Stowe, Vermont, over to the Northeast Kingdom should be looking good, with greens, reds and oranges mixing in generally pre-peak conditions. In New Hampshire, the western White Mountains—starting in Lincoln and extending north along Rte. 3 all the way to the Canadian border beyond Pittsburg—should offer prime leaf peeping now, and the area of color should continue to expand. The mountains from Rangeley up to the Carrabassett Valley will have the best color in the state of Maine. In addition to the great emerging color, the other relatively good news is that the weather this weekend looks likely to be driest in these far northern regions, as well. Some rainfall is in the forecast across much of the region, but hopefully won’t interfere with the opportunities to explore these beautiful areas. It’s important to note that some of the best foliage pictures are taken in the even light that cloud cover provides, and the rain can make the colors pop on film, or its digital equivalent.
Foliage Is Still Largely Green Just Outside Of The Earliest Areas. Chocorua Lake Should Begin To Show More Color This Coming Week.
Credit: Jon SecordCredit: Jon Secord Just outside of these earliest-turning areas, the canopy remains largely green, with increasing speckles of reds, yellows and browns. This includes the southern White Mountains, the spine of the Green Mountains, the Berkshires and the areas around Maine’s lakes as far north as to Baxter State Park and the newest National Monument. These areas usually peak around the first week of October, and this year, it looks like intensifying colors this week will lead up to a possiblity of peak foliage for the holiday weekend. Whereas the leaves of far northern New England are turning on a mostly normal timetable now, the effects of the drought are more pronounced in central New England, causing what will likely be a more accelerated timetable. While perhaps not widely photogenic yet, driving around southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts has led us to many surprisingly bright pops of color. This area should really explode into color with the next cold snap.
Trees In Suburban Settings, Like This One In Manchester, NH Are Turning Early This Year
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Supposed to leave Monday the 3rd for a two week New England vacation planned for a couple months. Now the weather has turned to mostly rain and colder. Probably due to the Hurricane in the Carribbean. Have not been to New England so it is a bucket list thing to do in the Fall. But thinking we should not waste the money and vacation time and plan another year. Any advice?
I hope you are still going on your trip as planned. Some years it rains and some years the weather is great when I get a day or two off to head up north. No matter the weather you should have a fun trip. With 2 weeks to play with, you should be good!
where do you think it would be best for fall colors the weekend of 10-22?
Color is fabulous between turner and Auburn maine
I am coming to Boston for 6 nights from Saturday 8 October until Friday 15 October. What is your forecast for the trees to be in fall colours. What are they like just now and also where would be the nearest scenic drive to see them. We are staying in Southborough which is just outside Boston.
Great weather 2nd-3rd weeks here in New England. Colors fantastic! Peak now in Ma and CT and northern RI. Past peak in far northern New England. Great time for a vacation is now.