As crisp autumn air fills in across New England, the inevitable change from summer greenery to fall foliage has begun. So far, the fall foliage season in 2025 appears to be on a typical track, with colors just beginning to show up as we approach the second half of September.
A stunning foliage season depends on numerous factors that can be separated into two categories: astronomical and atmospheric.
Astronomical factors (length of daylight, sun angle, etc.) are consistent year-to-year and can stimulate the color change inside the leaf, regardless of weather conditions. Even if the temperatures stayed summer-like throughout autumn, the leaves eventually still would change due to less intense sunlight as the Earth tilts away from the sun in winter.
Atmospheric factors (rainfall amount, temperature fluctuations, etc) are the wild card each year, and can influence the onset of peak conditions by several weeks in either direction. Ideally, cool nights and sunny afternoons (like we have seen several of this month) will lead to the most vibrant color change.
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Where do we stand now?
To use a seasonally-appropriate football analogy, states across New England still are early in the first quarter when it comes to fall foliage.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry issued its first fall foliage update of the year on Wednesday, noting that the early signs of autumn have begun to appear. Over the next two weeks, a dramatic change is expected as near-peak conditions are likely to appear in the northern half of Maine by the end of September.
In Connecticut, some trees are beginning to show scattered color, but our best days of leaf-peeping are ahead of us. Peak conditions typically set in around mid to late October, with the hills in the northern part of the state reaching full vibrancy nearly two weeks before the shoreline.
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection monitors the state's foliage progression each year, and they say there is reason to be optimistic about this upcoming season.
"Despite recent (episodic) dry periods, Connecticut has received sufficient rainfall this past year to set us up for a spectacular fall foliage season," said Christopher Martin, director/state forester, Division of Forestry, Bureau of Natural Resources, for DEEP. "Recent cooler nights have set the stage for leaves to start their annual color change on time, with peak season expected mid-October in our hillier terrain."
So, if you're stuck in traffic on one of the state's busy highways this fall, it might be rewarding (and more relaxing) to take the scenic route and appreciate the colorful landscape.
Dan Amarante is a meteorologist with Hearst Connecticut Media. He has covered major storms both locally in Connecticut and nationwide in his career, which includes more than a decade as a TV meteorologist in Connecticut. He reported live on TV during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the historic Northeast blizzard of 2013, experienced the eye of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, and covered the aftermath of numerous tornadoes.
When he’s not forecasting, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, watching baseball, and keeping up with the latest space news.