Early hints of orange, yellow and red leaves are appearing in parts of New York as fall foliage begins to emerge.
New York state on Wednesday released its first weekly fall foliage report of the year, noting the “first signs of spectacular seasonal colors” in parts of the Empire State.
The most significant color changes this week are expected in the Adirondacks, according to field reports, including areas around Tupper Lake, Long Lake and Old Forge.
The state's report says the 2026 fall foliage season is underway, with the most significant changes expected in the Adirondacks this weekend.
Each year, New York's Department of Economic Development releases weekly foliage reports throughout the fall, broken down by region.
The Adirondacks are typically
among the first areas in New York to see peak foliage, followed by the Catskills. The New York City and Long Island areas are among the last regions to experience significant color changes.
To view this week's report, click here.
Could the wet summer impact fall colors?
According to Nina Bassuk, professor emerita at Cornell University and an expert in horticulture, yes.
“We’ve had an unusually wet summer,” she said. “This could impact fall colors in two ways. With greater rainfall, tree leaves will stay on the trees longer, potentially allowing for more time for fall color to develop, albeit a little later in the fall color season. However, greater moisture also favors the growth of fungi that could affect the leaves, causing them to drop earlier.”
Other factors can affect fall foliage, including weather conditions when leaves begin to change.
Warm nights and overcast, rainy days tend to produce more muted yellow colors, while sunny days and cool nights favor brighter red, orange and purple hues.
“No matter how one season changes to the next, there will be fall color this year,” Bassuk said. “Get out and enjoy it.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York fall foliage report: See where leaves are changing first
