The latest I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report shows that brilliant autumn colors are arriving quickly across the Finger Lakes and Central New York. While the Adirondacks and Catskills are already at peak, parts of both regions are now reporting peak or near-peak conditions heading into the first weekend of October.
Foliage conditions in the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are showing steady progress toward peak, with Watkins Glen already reaching peak conditions. In Schuyler County, colors are dominated by muted reds and oranges with some browns, while nearby Yates County is reporting nearly 50 percent change, highlighted by pops of orange and red at higher elevations.
Ontario County is showing about 40 percent change in Canandaigua, where bright red and orange leaves are visible, while Rochester in Monroe County is just past 20 percent with more vibrant change along the east side of the county near the lakes. Auburn in Cayuga County is at 30 percent, with muted reds and yellows beginning to appear. Ithaca and Trumansburg in Tompkins County are around 40 percent with golds, oranges, and emerging reds.
Steuben County, including Bath, Corning, and Hammondsport, is around 45 percent with yellows, browns, and oranges. In Wayne County, Lyons is showing 35 percent change, while Seneca Falls and Waterloo in Seneca County are closer to 20 percent, with early hints of red, purple, and yellow.
Foliage conditions in Central New York
Counties in Central New York are reporting stronger changes than last week, with some areas now past the halfway point. In Madison County, Cazenovia is showing about 50 percent color change, marked by brilliant reds mixed with yellows and oranges. Utica in Oneida County has moved past 50 percent, with a mix of yellow, orange, and red foliage.
Cooperstown and Cherry Valley in Otsego County are at 50 percent with yellows and reds, while Chenango County communities such as Bainbridge and Norwich are more than 60 percent changed, despite some early leaf drop. Binghamton in Broome County is at 45 percent with mostly bright yellows and touches of red, while Herkimer is at 40 percent with more muted autumn hues.
What to expect next
Cooler nights and dry weather are accelerating leaf change. Peak conditions are expected to spread quickly across both regions over the next week, making early to mid-October the best window for leaf peeping. Scenic routes around Seneca, Cayuga, and Canandaigua Lakes, as well as the rolling hills of Cazenovia, Utica, and Cooperstown, will offer some of the best views.
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