RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Americans planning a fall road trip or scenic hike can get an early look at when autumn colors are expected to peak across the country.
The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2026 Fall Foliage Map, showing when the leaves are expected to reach their most vibrant colors in each state. The map allows users to track the progression of autumn from the northern forests in late September to the southern regions that typically see peak color in November.
Fall foliage attracts millions of visitors each year and provides an economic boost for tourism-dependent communities, particularly across New England, the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions. The timing and intensity of autumn color depend largely on weather conditions, including temperature, rainfall and sunshine.
The Almanac's 2026 forecast suggests much of the U.S. will experience a drier-than-average fall, while temperatures are expected to be warmer across much of the nation's interior and cooler along parts of the East and West Coasts.
Although seasonal conditions vary by region, the Almanac said foliage is expected to arrive on a fairly typical schedule across most of the country this year.
The first signs of peak color are expected in northern New England and parts of the Rocky Mountains during mid-to-late September.
Vermont's northern regions are forecast to peak between September 24 and October 10, while parts of New Hampshire, New Mexico and New York could also see their brightest colors beginning in late September. Maine's inland regions and northern Michigan are expected to reach peak foliage during the first half of October.
The second half of October is expected to bring peak conditions to much of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
For residents of the Deep South, the wait will be longer. Louisiana, Texas and Florida are among the states projected to reach peak foliage between November 2 and November 11.
According to the Farmers' Almanac foliage forecast , peak color is expected during the following periods:
While when to see the actual peak colors can shift depending on short-term weather conditions, the forecast offers a general timeline for when Americans are most likely to catch forests, mountain ranges, and parks at their most colorful.
For those hoping to plan a getaway to see the foliage themselves, monitor local weather forecasts as the season approaches, as an early frost, drought, or unusually warm temperatures can influence both the timing and vibrancy of fall colors.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Sam Wilson .
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