The leaves are just starting to turn in the northeast, and the year’s weather offers different forecasts for different areas. Early cool weather combined with a relatively dry summer can make for spectacular colors, but it can also make them come sooner and come to an earlier end.
The two main areas for leaf-peepers to make their excursions are from New York up into northern New England, with the northern areas turning first, and then more southern areas, including the Great Smoky Mountains. Both areas count on flocks of visitors in season, although there will be less money flowing this year because fewer people will rent, stay and eat due to the pandemic.
Reliable guides for where and when to go are Yankee Magazine’s NewEngland.com for the north and SmokyMountains.com for the south. Both sites have maps and interactive calendars, as well as information on how and why the colors change.
