A spectacular fall foliage season in New York State is winding down, as peak colors are reaching their final destinations in the lower Hudson Valley, on Long Island and in New York City, according to observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program.

This weekend in the lower Hudson Valley, look for peak foliage in Rockland County, where foliage spotters in New City predict up to 100 percent color transition with very bright red, yellow and orange leaves. In Westchester County, look for 75 percent leaf change, with beautiful red and gold leaves predominating. Foliage in the county should be near peak this weekend, with peak colors expected to arrive sometime during the second full week of November. The central portion of the region, although past peak, should still have some colorful trees remaining over the weekend, depending on the amount of wind and precipitation.

Foliage spotters in Nassau County and western Suffolk County on Long Island expect peak foliage this weekend, with 90 percent color change and orange, yellow, red and purple leaves of average brilliance. Hamptons foliage observers note that although conditions will be just past peak by the weekend, there are still some beautiful red and gold leaves remaining on trees. Leaves will be near peak to peak during the coming week on Staten Island, where predominating colors include red, orange and yellow.

Other areas of the state are now past peak.

This is the final I LOVE NEW YORK fall foliage report for 2008.

What are Leaf Peepers?

Each week during fall, I LOVE NEW YORK issues reports detailing the progression of colorful fall foliage across New York based upon information filed by the State’s officially designated “Leaf Peepers.”

These fall foliage spotters are instructed on how to rate foliage color in their areas, citing conditions such as brilliance, percentage of leaves changed, predominating colors and stages (just beginning, near peak, peak and past peak).
I LOVE NEW YORK compiles its weekly reports based upon information called in by the spotters.