2025 Fall Foliage Forecast for New England
Well, today is 2 March and there are…
7 Days till Daylight Savings
18 Days till the 1st day of Spring
110 days till the first day of summer
And best yet 204 Days till the first day of Fall…!
Conditions heading into Spring
I have been saying for years that having a balanced mixture of snow/rain/sunlight/temps is required to create what “I think” will result in a good outcome in the fall. What follows is my best guess, so take it with a grain or two of salt…
Ok, for the foliage forecast, this is the bad news to start with,
Drought
Our current status as of 2 March is what bothers me. We have had below average temps for Dec-Feb but that has not translated into snow and a deep snowpack. Yes, we have gotten snow but as of 1 March, 98% of New England is showing some level of Drought. Somewhere from Abnormally dry to Severe Drought. My info comes from NOAA.
In most years, I like to see New England get a nice constant snowfall creating a snowpack that will fill reservoirs and replenish the water table. So if we have a dry summer, we have reserves. As of right now, we should get some rain over the next few weeks according to NOAA, but the moist ground will dry fast if we don’t get weekly soakings.
*Note* Only NOAA provides this type of information and I want you to remember that they are the only ones who provide it…
According to NOAA, this spring is showing a slight chance of staying moist in a few parts of western New England but going into the summer and fall, NOAA says it could go either way with a long dry spell OR a more rainy summer, It’s just too early to call it right now.
Temps
This has not changed in the last 10-15 years and there is an above average chance for warmer than average temperatures through December. Nothing new there. As always it will depend on if and when the temperatures start to drop in August (GOOD) or Sept (NOT AS GOOD).
Insect damage
We didn’t have that much damage from insects in 2024 so I’m hoping that this will hold true through this autumn as well… Time will tell as it does with the rest of these things…
Hurricane season in 2025
Right now we are in the La Niña phase and if this was Aug-Nov, that would mean greater chances for stronger Hurricane activity off the Eastern seacoast. El Niño tends to reduce the impact of hurricanes and that in and of itself is a good thing.
The current La Niña is expected to weaken by April but not switch over entirely to El Niño which means it “MAY” stay ENSO Neutral (not going to define ENSO) This “Neutral” time means (to me) that hurricanes will be there but I don’t think it will be more than a few that we “have to worry about” on the east coast… So for now… we should be ok…
Here are a couple of articles that I find useful “a fall foliage primer for finding autumn colors in New England. ALSO, you should read my Art of Getting Lost.
Jeff’s Thoughts On The Upcoming Season
I feel the last two years have been less than stellar. 2024 was NOT horrible but due to the massive drought across much of New England, we didn’t get the colors where we expected to find them. The drone image above at the top of the article was made on 14 October nearing sunset in Townsend Massachusetts and this image below was made on that morning of the 14th of October 2024 in Sudbury Massachusetts (Wayside Grist Mill).
I won’t say I didn’t make ANY good shots in New Hampshire or Vermont but my number of “Successful” shots was well below what I feel my average should be in NH, VT, and ME. The number of Drone images went up significantly (especially on the 14th of October). My most memorable shots were found in Massachusetts (Very unusual)
Also, I have looked for the Old Farmer’s Almanac and they say a moist spring so YAAA if that happens or is it? I’ll have to go buy a copy to see what they say for Autumn. The Severe Weather Europe website says in mid-March we will see a major disruption of the polar vortex bringing a bunch of Cold air down into the Central or maybe northeastern US and depending on the actual flow could bring moist warm air up into New England. But it’s too early to tell as that is 10-15 days away…
For 2025, I think storms, insects, and even the temperature will all be within norms for this fall (fingers crossed). My BIG worry is going to be the amount of drought that we might sustain. Drought causes lesser color to arrive sooner due to stress and if 2025 is like 2024, it might not be very bright. Our trees can handle a light drought as that can intensify the colors but there is no way to determine what is light or severe for any given tree.
Like I said before I won’t know what we will get UNTIL we get it. This means I will be looking for reports at NOAA for current drought levels across New England. Even if it’s a rainy spring and that does remedy the drought issue, that will lead to other issues with fungus affecting the leaves…
No matter what happens, each event affects others throughout the year. When we get through with August, then I would hope to have a good idea but for now, you have something to watch in New England… Is the rain staying on the plain in Maine? Or did it just not happen… I wish I could give you a brighter outlook but for the moment I think we can focus on this single event to gauge the quality of the fall…
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
Hi Jeff! I really like your website! I’m taking my mother (from São Paulo – Brazil) to New England to fulfill her dream of celebrating her 80th birthday. Our initial plan is to travel in early October, starting in Bar Harbor, then the White Mountains, Lincoln, Stowe, and ending in Massachusetts. I know it’s not possible to be certain which regions will be at their peak in foliage, but based on the annual average, is it possible to get an idea of the best route? I mean, where would be the best place to start? Our trip will last 10 days. I thank you in advance for your attention and for the information I’ve already received from reading your posts.
I will assume long miles driving are not the order of the day… So I might reverse your schedule. Instead of landing on the coast of Maine, I would land in New Hampshire where Manchester NH is an international airport. You might have to land at Logan or not depending on customs.
From there its a short drive north into Vermont’s NEK (Northeast Kingdom) Or north of the White mountains. The White Mtns. are probably a great place to make your first reservation (as a military guy, I call it a BOP or Base of Operations) Meaning you stay at the same place each night and just make short drives each day.
I would arrive 1-3 October and look for Harvest/Fall festivals going on in the nearby areas (Check my fall festival page) and also check with whoever manages your place of stay as they will have lots of great ideas as well.
Then explore between NH and VT and then toward the end of the vacation head to Maines Coast (I suggest Camden or Ogunquit) and fly home from Portland…
Hello Jeff! Amazing website. I’m planning to go to New England this year to photograph the foliage.
When can we expect your next forecast? Thanks! César
Soon I hope to see a midmonth drought report soon but as of this second the drought issues have been minimized for now. But!!!
This does not mean it won’t rear it’s ugly head later this summer…
Hi Jeff. I am planning a trip to the Stowe/Smuggler’s Notch this fall (2025) for the foliage. I am wondering if you think we should go at the end of September or the beginning of October. I there are a ton of variables like drought etc… and and it’s not a perfect science but if it were you, when would you go? What week?
Thanks!
The first week in October is a “safe” bet. Some of my prettiest images of Smuggler’s Notch were on 8 October but at the same time the fall colors were sharing the trees with a light coating of snow… If you did 3-8 October, I think you’d be pretty well set. Barring tornado’s, hurricanes, drought, plague, insect infestation, or, or… well you get the point. Barring all the things you CAN’T control, leaves us with a good week or so when the colors should be very pretty…
Hi Jeff! I am planning a New England roadtrip this fall (2025) to see the fall foliage. Current stops include: Boston, Salem, Stowe, Smugglers Notch, Conway, and Lincoln. I plan to arrive in Boston on Oct 7 and fly out of Boston on Oct 16. Any tips on where I should start my road trip to maximize peak fall foliage viewing and efficiency?
Also do you believe October 7 – 16 is a safe bet? Or is September 22-October 1 better? Thank you for your time and I look forward to your next report. Have a great day!
Well, Danielle, I would say this is a good start. Coming into Boston is fine but don’t plan to stay there on day 1.
You will want to rent your car and head north to the White mountains and pick a location to stay. Read this article and the articles it leads to. Also this is an index of some beginning articles to read to give you an understanding of where you are heading.
But you will explore to the north and central NH/VT and you “should” see great colors for the 7-16 October dates. While we had some early color in 2020, I do not expect that to repeat.
You are coming into the Columbus Day Weekend and most lodgings with not allow you to break up your stay from 10-13 Oct. So plan on being some where comfortable that you enjoy and somewhere that is more the western White mountains to the eastern Vermont areas like the Northeast Kingdom.
After the 13th I might come down to Massachusetts to stay a couple nights. Salem can be done in a day. Its very walkable because the town is basically a mile across and if you come up on the train from Boston, there are no parking issues ($25-$50 for the day) I’m not sure what the train is ($10-$14 each way) but it will drop you near the center of town. There is also the Salem Ferry out of Boston and its a bit more but anytime I can travel by boat I will.
Take the last two days to explore Salem and Boston and then fly out… I hope this helps.
Good Morning Jeff,
My niece, along with my twin sister and I are planning to visit VT in October. My niece is from Florida and has never experienced fall in New England. I used to live in NH, but you are far more experienced in “when and where to visit” and “what to do” than myself. Do you have any suggestions as to where to visit or even stay. We are flexible. We will be driving from PA, so no worry of airport locations. Time of year, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we pick the RIGHT time of the year for 2025. Your suggestions are truly appreciated.
Well Michelle, if New Hampshire is your goal and to show her the best of the mountains I would suggest 4 Oct till the 10th. This will give you some of the early colors at lower elevations and better colors at the higher elevations. in 2022 I stayed at Twin mountain where Routes 302 and 3 cross (right as you enter Crawford Notch).
This was great because I rolled out of bed and I was there…
But!!! its an hour and a half to drive over to Smuggler’s Notch VT so if you wanted to also head over there, then maybe get lodging a little further west toward the border???
A ride on the Cog rail can be exciting. I would go to the menu on my website and click on planning. (note if you actually click it you get a listing of articles but if you hover you get a drop down menu with a lot more...
Jeff, thank you for your reply. Southern VT, is our goal. See a little of this and a little of that. Any particular areas you would suggest to visit and stay in Southern VT? Thank You in advance for your reply.
Jeff… Want to take a fall foliage train trip through New England in October ( no specific date yet but thinking early October). Any recommendations on specific train tours? What should we expect? Much thanks!
VELMA
Well I have done 3 train rides in NH, the hobo, The Conway Scenic, and the Cog Rail.
The Hobo down in Meredith NH is a short 30 min ride through the lakes region, and a nice relaxing ride.
The Conway Scenic out of Conway NH has several different rides on different trains and price points. We took the longer trip up through Crawford Notch and the turn around at Fabyan’s Station. Beautiful views as it crosses several rivers and passes over the Frankenstein trestle.
The Cog Rail out of Marshfield Station and takes you straight up the side of Mount Washington the train gets to about 36 degrees of angle and it is very tough to stand up against this angle but it can be done. But most people stay seated and it poses no issues. Only people like me who wanted to walk to the front to photograph things have to worry about it. Read this article about the Cog Rail.
This article is my travel page listing a bunch of different scenic trains in New England.
I’m really enjoying your website. I’m needing advice for planning a September Canada New England cruise out of Boston and pairing it with a day or two of driving for looking at fall foliage. Is it best to cruise first, then drive after, or drive first and cruise after? Are you aware if you actually see fall foliage at the cruise ship destinations, or should we plan to drive west or north from Boston for that? Do you have recommended pathways from Boston if we don’t have a lot of time? Thanks for your help.
Boston is both scenic and historical year round BUT!!! It does not get the fall colors till late October or November. Any where near the ocean means the fall colors arrive later in Oct/Nov. It really depends on the dates you plan to travel.
1-10 October we are talking NW Maine, the White Mountains of NH and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
10-20 Oct and you’re looking at Central Maine, central NH (Lakes Region), and central to southern Vermont. Also color is moving nicely into Massachusetts at this time.
So all in all, it really comes down to your dates as to where you will have time get to inland fall colors. I would recommend 15-25 Oct for locations along the Maine coastline or maybe into New Hampshire and then your ocean excursion
Hi Jeff! My husband & I are planning a 10 day trip through Massachusetts, Vermont, New York (my husband wants to visit Lake Placid), New Hampshire, and Maine to see the fall foliage. When would be the best dates to plan on coming?
1-10 Oct is a safe bet (I think) Lake Placid NY is a joker since I don’t watch NY. Check the “I love NY” website. But if you are starting in NY into VT then NH, then Maine and lastly MA.
This is a LOT of driving, and keep an eye on my posts to keep up on your plans. But remember most of the colors moves north to south… If you are planning on coastal Maine then that will also put a wrench in things since the fall colors turn last and later in the season…
We are planning a trip to New England this fall. We will be flying into Boston and spending the first night in Salem and then heading to Conway, NH, Lincoln, NH, Stowe, VT, Woodstock, VT, and then heading to Bar Harbor for several days before returning to Salem for a day before we fly out. Looking at the dates Sept 23 – Oct 11. Does this seem like a reasonable time to go? Also, we would like to break up the trip between Bar Harbor and Salem. Do you have a suggestion for where to stop?
Thanks so much.
I might drop it back a few more days. arriving around 28 Sept to 1 Oct might be better because Conway turns later (6-7 Oct) but Lincoln “should” be better by 1-3 Oct and Stowe and Woodstock are also in the 3-7 (Stowe) and 6-10 (Woodstock) AND then you have Bah Habah… (You have to say it with out the Rs…) Bar Harbar being on the ocean will start turning around 15 Oct to 25 Oct (the coast is always last)
I hope this helps
Coming from California to see the fall foliage as well as some historical sites…am thinking of starting in PHILADELPHIA for a few days and am open to driving for a few days of taking in the fall foliage …does this sound reasonable?Have been researching online and I am feeling overwhelmed!
Well, while the growing season is wonderfully loooong in California, Here in New England it is not. (Philadelphia is not New England and the next state is New York and then you get to New England) But the colors come to PA later in PA (mid October to November) You can drive up to the Adirondacks and in early October you should get a beautiful display of the fall colors…
I don’t specialize in PA (but I grew up there) or NY but I hear from people from time to time… Sorry I can’t help very much in these areas…