The NY Fall Foliage Report
Gorgeous Peak and Near-Peak Colors Arriving in Southern Hudson Valley, Long Island This Weekend
Peak colors also expected in Monroe, Wayne counties in Finger Lakes
Foliage Update for the Week of October 24-30
This is the seventh 2012 FALL FOLIAGE REPORT for New York State. Reports are obtained from field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. FALL FOLIAGE REPORTS are issued every Wednesday afternoon.
Albany, N.Y. – New York State’s annual show of magnificent fall color continues its journey downstate this weekend, with peak and near-peak colors expected to arrive in the lower Hudson Valley and on Long Island, in addition to making final stops upstate in the Finger Lakes region, according to observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program.
Foliage in the Hudson Valley will range from near peak to past peak this weekend, with the best color to be found in the southern portion of the region. In Rockland County, the leaves will be peak at Bear Mountain State Park in Bear Mountain. Color change is expected to be about 90 percent there with a bright mix of mostly orange, yellow and red leaves along with some shades of purple. Orange County foliage reporters based in Goshen expect 90 percent color change and peak to just-past peak shades of ginger, plum, pumpkin, lemon, raspberry, and cinnamon. Spotters in the county note this is one of the most beautiful autumns in recent years. In Westchester County, look for near peak foliage with about 50 percent transition and a great mix of gold, red and yellow shades. There’s still some time to catch some nice just-past peak color in Dutchess County, where spotters based in Poughkeepsie expect 90 percent color transition by the weekend with bright yellow and orange leaves still coming through on the maples.
On Long Island, in Nassau and Suffolk counties, expect about 80 percent color change and near peak leaves of orange, yellow, red and purple in the region’s western portion. Some parts of the south shore and eastern portion of the region are expected to be at peak, including the Hamptons, where bursts of orange, red and yellow leaves are mixing in beautifully with the green pines.
In New York City, foliage spotters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn report that leaf change is in high gear. Emerging colors include burgundy, red and orange. Some droppage of yellow leaves has been noted.
In the Finger Lakes region, foliage that was just transitioning to peak in Monroe County and Rochester last week is now on the downside of peak, but still lovely. Look for 70-75 percent color change and mostly yellow leaves of average brilliance, along with shades of red, orange, gold and russet. Wayne County projects nearly complete leaf transition and peak foliage by the weekend with orange, red and yellow leaves of average brilliance.
In the Adirondacks region, foliage in the Lake Champlain area is just a little past peak. Many leaves of brilliant yellow remain, along with gorgeous shades of orange and gold. Some good color also remains in the southern portion of Warren County. In Central New York, foliage is also past peak, but there are still pockets of brilliant gold, yellow and red leaves in southern Herkimer County. Niagara County, in the Greater Niagara region, is projecting just past peak conditions with 90 percent leaf change and leaves of muted shades of gold and orange. In Erie County, many areas of great color remain; look for bright shades of yellow, red and orange.
Although the Thousand Islands-Seaway region is now past peak, there is still some significant color in select areas. A good amount of colorful foliage remains in Oswego County, where you will find warm shades of red, orange and golden yellow this weekend. In the St. Lawrence River Valley, St. Lawrence County foliage spotters project 90 percent color transition by the weekend, with orange, yellow, red and brown perfect for Halloween. Jefferson County is now past peak with some areas of bright orange, yellow, red and burgundy leaves remaining.
