Greetings my fall foliage followers. Today is the first day of Autumn 2023!!!

Many of you are waiting for the first beautiful pictures of autumn to start showering down on us from all your social media and if you do see an outstanding picture that is really colorful, hopefully, you realize that it’s from a previous year. This past week we have had a good bit of sun and highs in the 60s-70s and lows that are… well, not that low but they are not working against us… See below for my look ahead for next week. Below is Brownville Maine from Stickney Hill which is SW of Millinocket Maine. The image is on my Webcam page.

I’m here right now in New England, what do I do?

Okay, first off breathe and then get out your list of plan B’s that I know you made because I ALWAYS tell you to bring a list of things to do if the fall colors aren’t really ready. Here is a quick list off the top of our heads. Remember, Plan B’s are pretty much great anytime, They don’t require the fall colors and are an experience in and of themselves.

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Foliage Report for the past week

Okay, so things have been looking better all this past week. The rain left the forecast (for the most part) and it has been sunny (one of the critical components) The temps have been decent and next week, Well, I will get to that…

Maine

Up in Brownville which is in north central Maine, the colors made a dramatic surge this week and I posted the comparison on my Facebook page. Click the link to see this and then look above on this page where you can see today what the “current” image is like. (as of the 23rd of September).

I saw some images posted of the Height of Land and a few oranges and yellows were dotting the landscape so anywhere you drive you see a bit of color here or there. In general, the further North you traveled though, the better it was.

Karen Reed who lives in NW Maine said the temps got down to the 30s on Thursday night and this is what I’d like to see more of. Michelle Popp Dellascio submitted this image on the 22nd.

New Hampshire

Chris Whiton of White Mountain Images submitted this image from the Twin Mountain area on 22 Sept 23.

I suspect that this week 25-29 should see a good uptick in the fall colors in the Northern White Mountains. Maybe NOT peak but I’m betting a crowd-pleaser all the same.

Vermont

John Rowe Photography submitted this drone image of Norton Pond in Warrens Gore taken 21 Sept 2023.

NOW!!! Before you get too excited, This image is taken at sunset and some of the yellow color you see here IS because of the time of day. That said, there are orange and reds that are showing up and by the end of this week we should see… Well, see what I say below.

Rhode Island and Connecticut

Mark Spremulli Photography submitted this image from down in Rhode Island on 22 Sept 23.

Well, this is only some cultivated maples from down in Rhode Island which shows that you may find a little localized color no matter where you look this coming week. NO… you will not find a lot in Southern New England, but there are signs of some showing up.

Jonathan Steele Photography submitted this image from Essex Connecticut.

Jonathan says that along the waterways and ponds, some color can be seen and some trees are dropping leaves as well. This leaf drop is going to be a problem all over New England and not just down here.

Jeff’s take for the coming week

Okay, the fall colors are NOT there quite yet and I’ve had a few people tell me they came in this past week and wondered where the colors were. Well as we saw the colors are just starting to arrive and this week we should see it increase. (Maybe dramatically? Not to sound too hopeful but conditions are looking good so far) I think if all continues this coming week as I see now we could see an explosion of colors during the first week in October. Wait until Next Sunday’s Report to see if I’m still of a positive mind.

The forecast is for sunny conditions through next weekend across all of Northern New England, so lots of sunny conditions and daytime temps near perfect but the lows are hit or miss but not that bad. Mount Washington is in the 30s almost every night! (29F on Monday night) and low to mid-40s through the coming week. So no hard frosts and I can live with that.

This combination of sun and temps is looking really good for those arriving 25 to 29 Sept, you are going to be seeing the colors develop each day. Needless to say, the best chances for wider color and brighter colors will be further North. Try Dixville Notch New Hampshire on Route 26 and follow that into Maine.

In Vermont, check Groton State Park, Peacham, Topsham, and other NEK locations up towards the Vermont/Canadian border. Take Route 105 to check out Jay and at Newport take 111 down to 114 and follow that East along the Candian Border. As Route 114 comes South you will come to Norton Pond. Further along Route 114 is Island Pond (and the town of…) all along these areas you should be looking good for beginning fall colors. If you find any peak fall colors, stop into our New England Facebook Photo page and share your foliage finds with the group.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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