Peak fall foliage is arriving across parts of New York this weekend, with the Adirondacks and Catskills expected to see some of the state's best colors as the long holiday weekend begins.
Bright reds, oranges and golden yellows are spreading across the state, with pockets of peak or near-peak foliage also emerging in Central and Western New York, the Capital Region and elsewhere.
Adirondacks fall foliage
Essex County: Spotters predict a full 100% color change in Newcomb by the weekend, bright reds and oranges and hints of golden yellow, along with leaf droppage. Around 95% and peak colors are expected in Wilmington, brilliant red and orange leaves. Expect an 85% change and peak foliage on Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, just-past-peak with beautiful, very bright shades
of red, yellow, orange and purple along with some brown leaves. Spotters predict a 55% color transition in Crown Point, with average-to-bright gold, russet and orange leaves, along with splashes of red. The greatest color changes will be found at higher elevations. Near peak and 55% color changes is expected in the Ticonderoga area with bright seasonal colors.
Hamilton County: Spotters predict a full 100% color change by the weekend in Lake Pleasant, with bright shades of yellow, gold, orange, rust and red. A full color transition is also expected by the weekend in Long Lake, with brilliant golden yellows and ambers, mixed with some orange and deep reds. A 90% color transition and peak conditions is expected by the weekend in Benson. Strong fall color is now visible around the lake and across the lower slopes, with bright reds, oranges, yellows, and golds. Leaf droppage is visible at lower elevations, while portions of the upper hillside remain green.
St. Lawrence County: A full 100% change and just-past-peak colors are predicted at Mt. Arab in Piercefield with very bright reds, oranges, yellows and purples. An 85% color transition is expected by the weekend in Wanakena with bright deep oranges and yellows, along with many fallen reds. Star Lake and Cranberry Lake will also see peak foliage this weekend.
Franklin County: Up to 95% color change is predicted by the weekend in Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab, with cinnamon, caramel, orange soda, mango, saffron, daffodil and bittersweet leaves. In Saranac Lake, a 95% color change is also predicted, with bright and beautiful mix of all fall colors. A 50% color change predicted for the weekend in Malone, with mostly bright reds and oranges..
Herkimer County: Spotters predict an 85-90% change and peak to just-past-peak in Old Forge with very brilliant shades of orange, red, gold and rust.
Lewis County: Expect a 75% color change near peak in Glenfield, with bright gold and orange maples dominating the landscape amid scattered pockets of bright red and some droppage.
Warren County: Observers predict up to 60% color change by the weekend in Queensbury, with bright autumn colors.. In Lake George, expect a 35% color transition, with bright mix of yellow-orange leaves alongside some reddish hues.
Catskills fall foliage
Greene County: Observers predict a full 100% color transition in the upper elevations of Windham, bright orange, yellow and red leaves. Expect an 85% and near peak in Haines Falls, Hunter and Hensonville with very brilliant yellow and orange leaves and some bright red pops. In Cornwallville and Round Top, an 85% color change is also expected, with mostly bright yellow-orange leaves and some red bursts. Spotters also predict a 40% at Historic Catskill Point with yellow hues and pops of red and orange.
Ulster County: Spotters predict a full 100% color change at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, with vibrant orange leaves. Foliage above 2000 feet will be past peak by the weekend, featuring dark reds and purplish reds.
Delaware County: In Dehli, expect a 70% color transition by the weekend with average-to-bright reds, oranges, purples, dusty browns, and yellows. Spotters also predict a 70% foliage change in Colchester, Roscoe and Downsville with brilliant red, orange, yellow, and some pink leaves. They also forecast a 60% change in Stamford and Bloomville, with mostly yellow leaves.
Sullivan County: Spotters predict a 5o% color change in Forestburgh, with bright red, orange, yellow, peach and gold leaves.
Capital-Saratoga fall foliage
Fulton County: A full 100% change in Stratford is expected by the weekend, with very brilliant shades of seasonal hues, and some droppage. Spotters also predict a 50% change in Northville, with vibrant and brilliant red, burgundy, orange and yellow leaves.
Rensselear County: Spotters predict a 70% change and peak color in East Nassau, with strong golds and rusts, along with pops of bright orange, yellow and red. After a gradual start, the local foliage is progressing sporadically and quickly with some trees losing leaves, some mostly green, and others at the height of fall color. A 35% change at Washington Park in Troy with average-to-bright bursts of orange and yellow.
Saratoga County: Expect a 70% change in Saratoga Springs and Greenfield by the weekend, with bright seasonal colors.
Schenectady County: Spotters predict a 40% change in Rotterdam, with various shades of yellow, gold, orange and deep red. Expect a 35% change in 35% Schenectady's Central Park, with deep red, orange and yellow highlights. Smaller trees, bushes and plants have almost fully transitioned, while larger trees are beginning to show beautiful fall colors from the top down.
Albany County: In Voorheeseville, observers predict up to a 35% color change at Thacher State Park, with bright yellow and orange leaves along with hints of red and some droppage.
Central New York fall foliage
Schoharie County: A 90% color change in Sharon Springs is expected by the weekend, with a palette of autumnal hues.
Otsego County: Spotters predict a 65% change and peak conditions in Cooperstown with bright yellow leaves, along with some orange and red, and a 50% change in Cherry Valley with brilliant-to-average yellow and orange leaves, along with some reds. Some areas are already at peak, while many are a week behind.
Madison County: A 65% color change in Cazenovia is expected by the weekend, with bright yellows and oranges.
Chenango County: A 60% change in Norwich is predicted by the weekend, with bright golden yellow and vibrant red leaves.
Herkimer County: Spotters predict a 50% change in Herkimer with vivid orange and yellow leaves, along with some red.
Oneida County: Expect a 45% color transition in Utica by the weekend, with muted-to-average yellows, reds and oranges.
Broome County: Spotters predict a 45% foliage change in Binghamton with bright orange, red and purple leaves.
Montgomery County: Expect around at 35% change in Fonda with vibrant fall colors.
Chautauqua-Allegheny fall foliage
Cattaraugus County: Spotters predict a 75% foliage change in Little Valley by the weekend, with bright seasonal colors. A 55% change is predicted in Salamanca at Allegany State Park with mostly yellow and orange leaves, along with some red leaves on maples.
Chautauqua County: Expect a 50% change in Chautauqua, with bright shades of yellow, gold and orange.
Finger Lakes fall foliage
Cayuga County: A 70% change is also predicted in Moravia, with mostly bright orange and red leaves. Observers predict a 35% color transition in Auburn by the weekend, with muted reds and yellows.
Cortland County: Expect a 65% change in Cortland, Marathon and Virgil by the weekend, with average-to-bright yellow, orange and rust-colored leaves,
Steuben County: Observers predict a 50% color change in Corning, Hammondsport, Bath and Hornell with brightly colored leaves, mostly yellow and orange.
Tioga County: By the weekend, expect a 50% color transition in Owego, with bright red, yellow and orange leaves.
Ontario County: Spotters predict a 45% color change in Naples, with bright yellow and orange leaves. A 20% color transition is also predicted in Farmington with yellow, orange and burgundy leaves appearing.
Tompkins County: Spotters expect a 40% color change in Ithaca and Trumansburg by the weekend, with bright yellow and orange leaves along with some very bright red pops.
Livingston County: Spotters predict a 40% change in Mt. Morris, at the north end of Letchworth State Park, with average-to-bright yellows, along with some reds. Black walnut and locust species are nearing peak yellow, with brilliant reds on maples. Oak trees are just starting to change. In Geneseo, expect a 35% change by the weekend, with mostly yellow leaves and pockets of red.
Seneca County: Spotters predict a 40% color transition in Waterloo with some bright reds and golds and a 25% change in Seneca Falls with right yellow and orange leaves.
Monroe County: Spotters predict a more than 30% change in Greece by the weekend, with average-to-bright yellow, purple, orange and red leaves. Foliage on the southern and eastern sides of the county continues to be slightly ahead compared to areas near the lake.
Wayne County: In Lyons, a 30% color change is predicted by the weekend, with shades of yellow and orange and some deep reds.
Onondaga County: Spotters predict a 25% change in Syracuse with yellows and reds emerging.
Chemung County: Spotters predict a 25% change in Elmira with shades of yellow and orange.
Yates County: Expect a 25% change in Penn Yan by the weekend, with many shades of yellow in the upper elevations and emerging splashes of red.
Schuyler County: In Watkins Glen and Odessa, expect a 15% color transition by the weekend, with some shades of yellow leaves.
Greater Niagara fall foliage
Erie County: Spotters expect a 70% foliage change and near peak in Springville with red leaves dominating the landscape. A 40% foliage change is predicted by the weekend in East Aurora, with pops of yellow and orange along with some reds. In Buffalo, expect a 25% color change with bright golden yellow leaves, and bursts of red from maple trees.
Wyoming County: At the southern end of Letchworth Sate Park and Castile, expect a 50% color transition with a mix of near peak and peak foliage, featuring average-to-bright reds and yellows. Northern hardwood species like maples and birches will be at peak. Southern hardwood species - oaks and hickories - are just starting to change.
Niagara County: Spotters predict a 40% change in Niagara Falls by the weekend, with bright shades of seasonal hues. In Lewiston, expect a 10% color change with bright yellow and red leaves.
Orleans County: In Albion, expect a 40% color transition by the weekend with bright and colorful crimsons and cinnamons.
Genesee County: Observers predict a 40% change in Batavia with yellow-green and orange leaves, along with a few scattered reds.
Thousand Islands-Seaway fall foliage
St. Lawrence County: Expect a 75% change in Potsdam by the weekend, with bright fall palette of color. Spotters also predict a 75% color transition and peak conditions at Eisenhower Lock in Massena, with mostly yellow and orange leaves, highlighted by wisps of red and purple.
Jefferson County: An 80% foliage change and near peak color is predicted by the weekend in Alexandria Bay with a brilliant, full mix of fall colors.
Oswego County: Observers predict a 55% change in Pulaski and a 40% color transition is expected in Oswego with featuring a medley of orange, red and purple leaves.
Hudson Valley fall foliage
Ulster County: Spotters also predict a 75% change and near peak color in New Paltz with brilliant, fiery reds and oranges, along with plenty of gold and yellow. A 70% color transition is expected by the weekend in Kingston dominated by yellow and gold leaves.
Columbia County: Spotters predict a 55% foliage change in Hudson, with predominantly yellow and orange leaves, plus sporadic red splashes. Foliage change is uneven throughout the county, with the greatest changes to be found in areas of highest elevation, including New Lebanon and Canaan.
Rockland County: Spotters predict a 40% change in New City and Congers by the weekend, with average-to-bright red, purple, yellow and orange leaves. A 40% color change at Bear Mountain State Park is expected, with muted red and yellow leaves emerging, A 10% change is expected in Orangeburg, with orange leaves emerging.
Dutchess County: Expect a 30% color change in Beacon and Poughkeepsie, with average-to-bright yellows and reds. A 30% transition is predicted in Red Hook and Staatsburg with bright yellow leaves.
Orange County: Observers predict a 20% change in Newburgh by the weekend, with average-to-bright oranges and reds. A 45% color change is also predicted in Goshen and Washingtonville with bright, primarily yellow and orange leaves along with some touches of red. A 40% change is predicted in Greenville, with brightening fall shades. A 30% color transition is expected in Cornwall with yellow leaves quickly appearing on Norway maples.
Westchester County: In White Plains and Jefferson Valley, expect up to a 20% color change by the weekend, with yellow and orange leaves appearing.
Putnam County: A 20% change in Cold Spring is predicted, with very brilliant yellow, red, orange and purple leaves. The most advanced color changes will be found along Routes 301, 403, 9, 9D, and the Taconic State Parkway, and at higher elevations.
Long Island fall foliage
Suffolk County: Expect a 60% change and near peak color is predicted on the trees surrounding the lake at Belmont Lake State Park in West Babylon. Color transition on the trails is closer to 20%, according to spotters. A bit more than a 5% color change along the North Shore is predicted by the weekend, with bright red and yellow leaves. Less than 20% change at Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island with sassafras beginning to yellow, while the few cherries, dogwoods and maples have all changed to red.
Nassau County: Spotters report a 50% foliage change at at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh with a fall mix of color on trees surrounding the pond offering near-peak conditions. Also expect a 40% around the clubhouse at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, with 5% on the five golf courses. They also predict a 20% change at Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead with brilliant swatches of ochre, crimson, goldenrod and rust leaves. Up to 20% color transition is predicted along roadways throughout the Long Island State Parkway System within the county, with red, purple, orange and yellow foliage in select areas, with the remainder still predominantly green. A 10% is expected at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow with some red, yellow and orange leaves in the picnic areas and on the three golf courses.
New York City fall foliage
A 30% color transition is expected on the Lower East Side of Manhattan by the weekend, with mostly yellow leaves. A 15% color transition is also predicted in Jackson Heights in Queens, with red and yellow leaves.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Peak fall foliage is arriving in New York this weekend. See where
