Fall color is beginning to show across the Finger Lakes and Central New York, but most communities remain largely green as the 2026 foliage season gets underway.
The strongest early changes in the two regions are expected around Utica, Cooperstown, Canandaigua and Painted Post this weekend, according to the first I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report of the season. Observers reported less than 20% color change in Utica, more than 15% in Cooperstown and 15% in both Canandaigua and Painted Post.
The report covers expected conditions for Sept. 16-22 and is based on observations from more than 100 volunteer field reporters across New York. I LOVE NY issues the report each Wednesday during the fall season.
Finger Lakes remain mostly green
Canandaigua and Painted Post are the Finger Lakes' early color leaders. Canandaigua is expected to reach 15% change with bright yellow leaves, while Painted Post is also at 15% with yellow leaves of average brilliance.
Owego is expected to reach 10% change, with touches of red and yellow. Moravia could see up to 5% change, while Marathon is at 5% with some maples showing red and yellow leaves. Ithaca is also at 5%.
Syracuse and Geneseo are expected to see 5% change or less. Syracuse has muted-to-average yellow shades emerging, while observers in Geneseo reported only a few yellow leaves.
Large parts of the region are not expected to show significant change yet. That includes Auburn, Elmira, Greece, Farmington, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Corning, Hammondsport, Bath, Hornell, Lyons and Penn Yan.
Letchworth State Park near Mount Morris is also expected to remain largely unchanged for now.
Central New York has stronger early pockets
Utica has the most advanced foliage reported in Central New York, with less than 20% change and muted-to-average shades of yellow, red and orange.
Cooperstown is close behind at more than 15% change, including bright orange leaves. Sharon Springs is at 15% with bright orange and yellow, while Cherry Valley is approaching 15% with orange beginning to emerge.
Binghamton is expected to reach 10% change, with observers noting bright touches of purple. Norwich is at less than 10%, with muted red and yellow leaves.
Color remains limited farther north and east within the region. Cazenovia is at up to 5% and remains mostly green, while Fonda is below 5% with touches of red. No significant change is expected in Herkimer.
What the foliage percentages mean
The weekly percentages describe how much of the foliage has changed color at the locations covered by volunteer observers. The report presents those observations as expected conditions for the coming weekend.
I LOVE NY defines peak foliage as the best overall appearance leaves are expected to have during the season, taking into account the amount of color change, brilliance and leaf droppage. The report does not list any Finger Lakes or Central New York location at peak this week.
The Adirondacks are farther along, with some communities expected to see between 20% and 35% change. For travelers staying in the Finger Lakes and Central New York, the current report points to Canandaigua, Painted Post, Cooperstown and the Utica area as the strongest early options.
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