Fall foliage is beginning to take hold across the Finger Lakes and Central New York, but most of the region remains well short of peak color heading into the final weekend of September.
The latest I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, covering Sept. 23-29, shows some of the strongest color in the region around Sharon Springs, Cherry Valley and Utica. Across much of the Finger Lakes, meanwhile, observers are reporting early-stage changes ranging from about 5% to 20%.
The weekly report is based on observations from more than 100 volunteer field observers across New York. I LOVE NY defines peak foliage as the point when leaves have their best overall appearance based on color transition, brilliance and leaf drop.
Auburn, Cortland lead Finger Lakes color change
Some of the most noticeable changes in the Finger Lakes are being reported in Cayuga and Cortland counties.
Auburn is at about 20% transition, with muted-to-average yellow leaves and hints of red. Moravia and Locke are also at 20%, where observers reported muted shades of burnt orange.
Cortland and Marathon are similarly at about 20% change, with yellow leaves joined by some red and purple maples.
The transition is moving more slowly farther west and south. Canandaigua is at about 15%, with touches of yellow and isolated red, while no change was reported in Farmington.
Corning, Hammondsport, Bath and Hornell are around 10%, with early fall colors beginning to emerge. Painted Post is also at 10%, with mostly yellow leaves.
Ithaca and Trumansburg remain below 10%, with yellow and orange beginning to appear. Watkins Glen and Odessa are below 5% and remain largely green.
Seneca, Yates and Wayne counties remain mostly green
The heart of the Finger Lakes is still largely waiting for the more dramatic transition expected later in the season.
Seneca Falls is at about 5% change, with a few yellow leaves, while Waterloo is reporting up to 5% change against a mostly green backdrop.
Penn Yan is also at no more than 5% transition and remains mostly green.
Wayne County is somewhat farther along. Lyons is at about 10%, with shades of yellow and muted orange emerging.
Livingston County is also in the early stages. Geneseo is below 10% with some yellow beginning to emerge, while the north end of Letchworth State Park near Mount Morris is at about 5%.
There, observers reported yellow beginning to develop on black walnut trees, while sumac and Virginia creeper are providing much of the early red color.
Syracuse at 10% as Central New York changes accelerate farther east
Syracuse is at about 10% foliage change, with some orange, red and yellow appearing.
Conditions are farther along in portions of Central New York east of Syracuse. Utica is at about 30%, with muted-to-average yellows, reds and oranges.
Cherry Valley is reporting 30% to 35% change, while Cooperstown is at about 20%.
Sharon Springs is among the most advanced locations in Central New York at roughly 35%, with yellow leaves and emerging orange and red. The state identified Sharon Springs, Cherry Valley and Utica among the Central New York locations expected to see some of the most significant foliage changes this weekend.
Cazenovia is at about 10%, with a developing mix of fall colors, while Norwich is at 15% with muted-to-average reds and yellows. Herkimer is also around 15%.
Binghamton is farther along at about 25%, with spots of bright red and orange along with some yellow.
Peak foliage remains farther north
Travelers looking for more advanced fall color will have to head farther north.
The Adirondacks are experiencing the state’s most significant transition this week. Wilmington near Whiteface Mountain is approaching peak at about 55% change, while Tupper Lake and Mount Arab are at roughly 50% to 55%.
Newcomb, Lake Pleasant and Long Lake are around 40%, while Old Forge is at about 35%.
That leaves the Finger Lakes and much of Central New York in the opening stages of the season, with significant amounts of green remaining across the region and the strongest local color currently concentrated in parts of Central New York.
I LOVE NY issues updated foliage reports each Wednesday based on the conditions observers expect for the coming weekend.
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