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Home » Foliage Articles » Will 2024 Be a Banner Year for New England’s Fall Colors? Here’s the Scoop

Will 2024 Be a Banner Year for New England’s Fall Colors? Here’s the Scoop

New England Fall Foliage Posted on by

As the summer months begin to wane and the crisp air of autumn approaches, many people eagerly anticipate the arrival of New England’s spectacular fall foliage. Known for its breathtaking display of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, this region attracts countless visitors each year, all leaf peepers are hoping to witness nature’s dazzling show.

But what makes a fall season truly exceptional, and will 2024 be one of those unforgettable years for New England’s fall colors? Here’s what we know.

The Science Behind Fall Foliage

To understand what might be in store for New England this fall, it helps to know a bit about the science behind the changing colors. The brilliant hues we associate with autumn are actually present in leaves throughout the year. However, they are masked by the dominant green pigment, chlorophyll, which is crucial for photosynthesis. As days shorten and temperatures cool, chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the underlying colors.

Ammonoosuc River falls in fall colors in New Hampshire
Ammonoosuc River falls in fall colors in New Hampshire, View this image in my Fine Art Gallery

Several factors influence the vibrancy and timing of the foliage display:

  1. Temperature: Warm days and cool nights are ideal. These conditions help to slow the breakdown of chlorophyll, allowing the red and purple pigments to develop more fully.
  2. Moisture: Adequate rainfall throughout the growing season is essential for healthy trees. Drought stress can lead to early leaf drop or dull colors. However, too much rain in late summer and early fall can reduce color intensity.
  3. Sunlight: Ample sunshine is necessary for producing anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for red and purple hues.

Before proceeding further, I recommend subscribing to my newsletters to stay informed about the upcoming Fall Foliage season. Click to go to my sign-up page but be sure to come back!

Indicators as of 14 July for 2024

Weather Patterns

As of mid-2024, weather conditions in New England had been relatively favorable for a stunning fall foliage season. After a damp spring that provided plenty of moisture to trees, the region experienced an average summer (up till July) with a balanced mix of sunny days and occasional rain showers. This has kept the trees healthy and robust.

BUT!!! (Don’t you hate it when I say that?)

Just a few days ago on 11 July Northern Vermont and New Hampshire got hit with 5 to 6 inches of rain. The freaky thing was, this was one year to the day from the flash flood/storm that hit on 9-11 July 2023. This weeks storm was only slightly less powerful than that of the storm total in 2023 (6-10 inches over all). The areas that were affected the worst were Montpelier and Barre which were the same from 2023 at least in Vermont. This year in New Hampshire Towns like Littleton, Lancaster, and Monroe were under water and many roads were also washed out.

Many places that we love to travel Peacham, Groton State Park, (Owls Head Mt.), Seyon Lodge State Park and many other Vermont states parks are closed.BUT!!! This is as of 14 July 2024. If you are not due to be here until September or October then I believe many of the parks will be open again. If you have reservations for camping in a state park, check directly with the park for updates. For road closures check New England 511.org for road updates.

Ok, what does this mean?

You can skip down to the bottom to Jeff’s thoughts or read on through.

Temperature Trends

Forecasts suggest that the rest of the summer temperatures will follow the historical norms of being slightly above average. This chart from the Climate Prediction folks confirms that as of now through 9 August, temps MAY be higher than average. This is not a terrible thing but I would “like it to be down in the 80s as I know most of you around the Country want the same thing where you live. I see it staying in the 80s to 90s range through Mid August. (fingers crossed that the high temps break at this point)

Rainfall Trends

The rainfall is looking slightly above average through 9 August. This is one thing I’m watching carefully. We are normally dry during this time and if Mother Nature behaves herself and we only see rain at most once in a week and even then it ONLY moistens the ground, then I won’t be unhappy. IF… we get a torrential downpour then we could revisit October 2023… It’s not what you or I want to see.

rain probability chances in 2024

What to Expect and When

Peak Viewing Times (These are general times for ANY year)

While the peak foliage period can vary slightly each year, it generally occurs from late September to Late October. The northern parts of New England, such as Vermont and New Hampshire, and North-Western Maine typically see colors change first, (25 September to 15 October) followed by the more southern areas like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. (15 October to 5 November)

Planning Your Trip (For ANY of these states click this link to check my Location by State pg.)

For those planning a trip to witness this natural spectacle, flexibility is key. Monitoring local foliage reports (such as my website) and being ready to travel to different locations in New England can help ensure you catch the peak colors. Some of the top spots to consider include:

  • Vermont’s Green Mountains: Known for their rolling hills and picturesque villages.
  • New Hampshire’s White Mountains: Offering dramatic vistas and scenic byways. (The Kanc and Franconia Notch etc...)
  • Maine’s Acadia National Park: Combining coastal beauty with vibrant foliage.
  • Massachusetts, Berkshires, or the Pioneer Valley, Gives you the hilly regions and farmland.
  • Connecticut Litchfield Hills or the Quiet Corner, either side of the state are great to visit.
  • Rhode Island’s coastal areas to the conservation areas are prime viewing in late October.

Jeff’s Conclusions

Well, here is where the rubber meets the road, smell that burnt rubber odor? That’s because it’s so damn hot around the country that your tires are melting!

But, all kidding aside, I will state as always, that these are my thoughts on WHAT we might get this fall. It could be better or worse than I think. I will ONLY know for sure once we get into November.

I would say right now, that the indicators for 2024 are promising. IF WE HAVE favorable weather patterns for the next SEVEN weeks, (July through the end of August) then New England’s fall colors are poised to put on an impressive show. The opposite can be equally as likely. IF extreme temps continue (90s to triple digits), OR maybe another hurricane, OR buckets of rain falling for the next 7-8 weeks across New England. Then I would say staying at home might be the better plan.

It all comes down to what the actual weather we receive is. I should be doing my Last forecast the week of August 12-18 and I hope all of these questions are a bit more settled by then. I would love it if Mother Nature would FOR ONCE make my job just a little easier… (Yeah, like that is going to happen)

So for now and until my last forecast in August, I would say dust off your hiking boots, charge your camera batteries, and get ready to immerse yourself in one of nature’s most enchanting displays. Will 2024 be a banner year for New England’s fall colors? All signs point to a strong MAYBE – but isn’t this an event worth checking out?

Jeff Foliage Folger

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

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.

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Comments

Will 2024 Be a Banner Year for New England’s Fall Colors? Here’s the Scoop — 22 Comments

  1. Hey Jeff! I’m excited to see your final forecast coming soon.

    Actually have a question regarding fall 2025. With La Nina predicted for later this year, is there any historical data on what that means for the following fall, or are there just too many variables to consider?

    Look forward to your response.
    My wife and I are planning our 25th Wedding Anniversary for late September/to Mid October 2025 visiting Vermont and New Hampshire and the Boston area.

    Reply ↓

    • The La Nina tend to allow more hurricanes to form and they can bring lots of rain and winds, never a good thing. Currently its 71 degrees in Salem MA as the sun is rising while I sit here writing this. But while this mild stretch of August weather is welcome, it doesn’t mean we won’t get some more hot weather. I would still look at 5-12 Oct as your best dates in the White Mountains. Jackson is a beautiful village to stay at (depending on budget) Conway is more tourists but with more places to choose from, you will better luck finding cheaper lodging…
      We stayed down Route 3 in Thornton which is south of Woodstock NH (not the Woodstock in Vermont)
      Places are filling up quickly so I wouldn’t wait too long…

      Reply ↓

  2. Hi Jeff! Thank you so much for all your great info! I currently have a trip booked September 28-October 5 . We were going to visit NH for the Kancamagus highway, Stowe VT, Montreal or Quebec City, and Woodstock. Now thinking we may be too early to see some good foliage. We are considering moving our trip to the second week of October. I know it’s hard to predict, but do you think if we keep our original dates we will see much color? Or would it be safer to visit October 5-12. Thanks for all your help!

    Reply ↓

  3. Hi, we have never seen the colours in Vermont etc. we are coming from SW Ontario.
    Should we go thru the eastern townships in Quebec and make our way down thru Vermont? Or would you suggest crossing at Buffalo/ Niagara and heading east and then north?

    Best websites for what to see?
    Also, do you think the week of Oct 6-12 would be the best time?

    Reply ↓

    • 6-12 Oct covers what we call the Columbus day weekend. It is very busy but also very beautiful as well. all of Northern Vermont should be at high color and maybe a good bit at peak. the colors should exnd south to at least central Vermont and maybe good color in southern Vermont.
      If you come in through Niagara and then at Syracuse break North to Rome or Poland and make your way through northeastern New York to NE corner of NY. hit Rouses Point, Swanton, Route 105 towards Montgomery (5 covered bridges and the slowly explore south through Cabot, Groton state park, and Stowe.
      I hope this helps… Pick up a Vermont Gazetteer in my Amazon store.

      Reply ↓

  4. HI Jeff! I’m so grateful I found your page as it has the lots of great comprehensive information all in one place!! I’m writing from the deep south (Louisiana, to be exact) and waiting for your final prediction to decide whether or not we will book a vacation to Vermont in the fall. My youngest son actually requested this vacation and, in his words, is hoping to see what looks like a scene from a Disney Halloween movie with all the bright foliage! If Hurricane Debby hasn’t made staying home the better plan, then I’d really love to get your input on which week is best and if my idea of flying into Burlington then traveling down to Manchester, over to Killington, up to Montpelier, over to Stowe and back to Burlington to fly home makes sense. We like to take scenic drives and hike so I was thinking I’d make overnight accommodations in the various areas with a total trip time of 7-9 days. If you have recommendations of where to stay, I’m all ears because I know these areas can be pricey! Thank you so much!

    Reply ↓

    • It sounds like a very special youngest son… Not that the others aren’t special but seeing the fall colors doesn’t usually interest people till they get older. He may turn into a photographer or a writer but I suspect someone of great creative potential…
      While we have had more rain that I would like (I prefer this amount to be spaced out over months) Right now I still think we will be having a good fall season. The daytime temps are depressed due to the wild fires out west in the US and Canada. The haze reflects the sun that the Northeast would normally be getting so our daytime temps are at least through the next few weeks lower high temps.
      So right now this looks great through 29 August.
      IF… IF the first 2 weeks in Sept follow along with LOW temps in the 50s down into the 40s and about the middle of September the temps drop into the 30s across VT, NH, and ME then we would be looking at EARLY fall temps…
      I don’t know if that would happen but I do expect these temps to be a week later. This means good color around 25-30 Sept, good to great color from 1 Oct to 6 Oct in the northern areas. Central to North areas will be the best once again from 5 to 15 October…
      Don’t forget to pick up a Gazetteer as well by clicking this link in my Amazon Store…
      It all depends on what kinds of ACTUAL weather we really do get… I hate to say it but this is the best I can do…
      Barring hurricanes, tornados or other freak weather events… We should see somewhere between very good to Outstanding fall colors… There you go, that is your early fall color update…

      Reply ↓

  5. Looking forward to your mid/late August assessment!

    My family is heading up to VT/NH/ME Oct. 9-19. We’re coming from DC – for the most scenic route, would you recommend going up past Albany and cutting across to Woodstock, VT, or up western CT/western MA to Woodstock? Hoping that the colors will be right around target for Oct. 9/10, before heading to Maine. Second question – as we’re staying in Campton, would you recommend doing a RT on the Kanc, then back up and around Mt. Washington en route to Maine? Or take the Kanc one way toward Conway then out east?

    Thanks so much – all of your articles and tips are incredibly helpful for planning.

    Reply ↓

  6. Booked into Manchester 10/2 – hotel there – 10/3 in Compton – reading you latest you relayed the “northern area” – as a Florida guy – how far north ? Thinking from white mountains- circle towards Stowe etc – then back down to N Mass headed back ton Manchester for flight home 10/6 – too much?? Or suggestion please!!

    Reply ↓

    • Hmmm, this is a very quick trip and you have many miles to travel. What is you date out on the plane? 10/6 then yes waaay to much. I would do Groton VT State Park, Smuggler’s Notch, Routes 108/109 (many covered Bridges.
      Then over to the Kanc, Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch and maybe Dixville Notch if the colors are late (northern White Mountains. Bethlehem NH. Stark NH and the covered bridge next to the church… Mass will not be there yet and is several hours south it will have to wait…
      Yes you can do all this in a day but you won’t get out of the car. Get out and plan to explore and really savor what you find.
      Don’t forget to pick up a Gazetteer as well by clicking this link in my Amazon Store…

      Reply ↓

  7. Hey Jeff, I found your content while searching for a somewhat reliable foliage forecast and have loved reading all your articles and appreciate the dedication and insight you bring to this topic. I currently have a trip booked for Oct 4-8th in between White Mountains and Vermont(We’ll be visiting Stowe, Burlington, Woodstock, the Kanc, white mountains etc..) we will then be departing for Acadia for the 8th-11th, then exploring some around Boston and Rhode Island the next few days.

    We have been to New England before and we went too early(last week of Sep, 2021) that we only saw mild colors, so because of that, our primary hope of this trip is to hit the peak or as close as possible.

    We are considering moving our trip to the Oct 11th-20th(Following the same stops and timeline as above) if this is more likely for us to have success following the peak colors throughout our trip. Although it is CDW so also curious on how much busier it will be.

    What is your advice on making this change in weeks? Also, do you still plan on releasing your final forecast update soon?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply ↓

  9. Anxiously awaiting your updated forecast! Looking to book a trip to fly into Burlington and check out surrounding area/Stowe, but want to try to get the timing right as best we can!

    Reply ↓

  10. Hi Jeff, thanks for sharing all this great info and maintaining a high quality, trustworthy blog on fall foliage!

    My wife and I are planning to travel to the Berkshires either Oct 4-6 or Oct 11-13. We are really hoping to catch “peak” foliage, especially as we are visiting from CA and miss the amazing fall colors we saw in New England when we spent a few years there during 2010s.

    Do you think one of these weekends might be better than the other? Thanks a bunch for your time!

    Reply ↓

  11. Hi Jeff! Love the page!
    We have planned Oct 12-19, 5 states across New England.
    We plan to fly into Boston and do Salem, then drive up to North Conway and take the Kanc over to Stowe, Woodstock, then Manchester, and continuing down into CT around the litchfield area, and lastly across to Rhode Island then back up to Boston to fly out.
    Basically spending 1 night in each town, are we too loaded down in the weeks timeframe? With the expanse that we’re covering, I’m thinking we will see some good color one way or another? (:
    Thanks!

    Reply ↓

    • Two things (maybe 3) but I hope the car you rent is really comfy because you are going to spend a large amount of time in there. It may not be a lot of miles but it will be around 800-900 miles (give or take) at this point I’m not sure what this season will “really” look like because we’re going from cooler temps to warmer temps later this month. It could be more perfect up north and less color down south depending on what late Sept and early Oct does (I have a sweatshirt on today)
      Also I hope you have a day or two after the trip set aside before you go back to work. You are going to need a vacation from your vacation…

      Here is a quote from my article on https://jeff-foliage.com/2014/08/14/plan-fall-foliage-vacation/
      “I think many people forget to factor in the gawk factor. First, I’m not going to be traveling 50 MPH. I will most likely be doing 25-35 MPH (as long as there isn’t a line of cars waiting to pass me) as I travel this route. There are many considerations so Lisa and I decided to travel less distance and explore more.”

      I hope it helps… Check this link to my planning articles, they might come on handy… https://jeff-foliage.com/planning/

      Reply ↓

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