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Leaf peepers, rejoice: New England may be in for a particularly glorious fall.
According to Yankee Magazine’s newly released 2026 fall foliage forecast, the region’s trees are heading into autumn in much better shape than they were last year. That translates into more vibrant colors and more time to see them.
Last year's crop was short and muted, thanks to drought-stressed forests. But the silver lining of this brutal past winter is that it, coupled with ample spring moisture and summer rain, helped replenish soil across much of New England. Trees are entering late summer with lush, healthy canopies and little widespread insect or fungal damage.
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Jim Salge, the longtime foliage expert behind Yankee’s annual forecast, says that combination could make 2026 a memorable leaf-peeping season.
“Our early call for 2026: A slow start could set the stage for a long, spectacular foliage season,” Salge wrote in Yankee Magazine. Rather than choosing one weekend and praying you happen to hit peak color, he suggests following the foliage as it gradually moves south through the region.
Northern New England should turn first, with warmer weather potentially delaying peak color farther south. That could stretch the overall season considerably, giving travelers more opportunities to catch the trees at their most spectacular.
Weather, however, remains the one major variable.
Yankee notes that El Niño conditions favor a warmer, wetter pattern that could delay color in southern New England. On the plus side, those same conditions may reduce the risk of a major Atlantic hurricane interfering with the season.
“The forest has done its part; now we just need the fall weather to cooperate as expected,” Salge wrote.
And New England isn't the only region getting a foliage forecast. Yankee expects a mixed autumn across the Mid-Atlantic and New York regions, where a hot summer has stressed some forests even as heavy rains have provided relief. The Southeast could see a fairly traditional show, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains, while the Upper Midwest is shaping up as a wild card thanks to uneven heat and rainfall.
Out West, the outlook is considerably less predictable. Limited snowpack, extreme heat, drought and wildfire concerns could mean a short season in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest. Aspens will likely still deliver their famous gold, but travelers may want to go as soon as the color appears.
For New England, though, the message is essentially "don't rush." This may be the year your fall foliage mission becomes your fall road trip.