Last updated: October 13, 2026
Update schedule: Tuesdays during fall color season

Fall color is not slowing down but It is on the move.

This week's national report shows past-peak conditions expanding across the far north and highest elevations. Meanwhile, peak and high color are pushing into lower elevations, the central Great Lakes, southern New England and the Appalachians.

If you are planning a leaf-peeping trip, waiting may pay off farther south. Across northern Maine, the Upper Midwest and parts of the Rockies, waiting another week could mean missing the best color entirely.

Where Is Fall Color Peaking Right Now?

Some of the strongest color this week can be found across central and southern New England, parts of upstate New York, the central Great Lakes and the higher Appalachians. Peak color is also hanging on around portions of the Rockies, although the highest terrain is increasingly past peak.

Much of the South remains green, giving those areas more time before their main viewing window arrives.

Northeast Fall Color Report

Northern New England is beginning to hand off the season.

Past-peak color has expanded across northern Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Strong color is still hanging on farther south, with peak and high color covering parts of central and southern New England.

New York is showing a broad mix of moderate and high color with peak pockets in the Adirondacks, Catskills and higher terrain. Color is also spreading across Pennsylvania, while coastal areas remain farther behind.

For the best odds this week, look south of the areas that peaked last weekend or drop into a lower elevation.

Midwest and Great Lakes Fall Color Report

The Upper Midwest is changing quickly, and some northern areas are already past their prime.

Past-peak color is appearing across northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Peak and high color remain nearby, while moderate color has spread through more of Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.

Farther south, trees are finally starting to catch up. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are showing more low and moderate color, although green still mixes into the landscape.

The best viewing window is shifting toward the central Great Lakes.

Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Fall Color Report

The Appalachians are becoming the main event.

High and peak color is developing across the higher terrain of West Virginia, western Virginia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Pennsylvania is showing more moderate color, with a few stronger pockets across its northern and mountainous areas.

Most lower elevations across the Southeast remain green or in the early stages of change. That means there is still time for much of the region, but mountain destinations may be much farther ahead than nearby cities.

If you are chasing color in the Southeast this week, elevation is still your best friend.

Rockies and Southwest Fall Color Report

The Rockies still have plenty of color, but the season is becoming a game of elevation.

Past-peak conditions have expanded across some of the highest terrain in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. Peak and high color remain around those areas, especially at middle elevations, while nearby valleys may still be in moderate color.

Arizona and New Mexico are showing a wider mix of low and moderate color with peak pockets in the mountains. Lower desert areas remain mostly green.

Check the exact elevation before making a long drive. The mountaintop may be finished while the road into town is just getting good

What Do the Fall Color Map Categories Mean?

• Little to no color: Trees are still predominantly green.
• Low color: Early color is visible, but green still dominates.
• Moderate color: Color is becoming more noticeable and widespread.
• High color: Strong color is present and the area is approaching its best display.
• Peak color: The landscape is showing its most widespread and vibrant color.
• Past peak: Color is fading and significant leaf drop has begun.

Where Should You See Fall Color This Weekend?

The strongest options are shifting toward southern New England, New York, the central Great Lakes and the higher Appalachians. In the Rockies, look below the highest elevations as the color works its way downhill.

The national map shows broad conditions, so individual parks and scenic routes may be ahead of or behind the surrounding area. Wind, rain and a hard freeze can also shorten the viewing window quickly.

Before packing the car, check the hourly rain and wind forecast in the WeatherBug app. A windy front can change a great foliage view into a mostly bare one surprisingly fast.

Is It Too Late to See Fall Colors?

Not unless your destination is in the far north or at one of the highest elevations. Northern Maine, parts of the Upper Midwest and sections of the Rockies are moving past peak, but the season is still building across the Mid-Atlantic, Appalachians and much of the South.

If an area is already past peak, look slightly farther south or choose a lower elevation. That can sometimes move you backward by several days in the foliage season.

For a broader look at the season, read our 2026 fall foliage forecast. We also have a guide to peak fall color at 12 popular U.S. destinations.

We will update this report each Tuesday as new observations arrive. At this point in the season, the best color is still out there, but it may be a little farther down the road.

Map data: The Foliage Report, report dated October 12, 2026.