ALBANY — Beautiful and vibrant peak and near-peak fall foliage will arrive throughout much of Upstate New York this weekend, with gorgeous peak leaves in parts of eight of the state’s 11 vacation regions, according to field observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

And, observers say, even in places that are past-peak, such as Old Forge, will still be “remarkable” and feature color change highlighted by bright gold, orange, and yellow leaves.

Spotters in Oneida and Herkimer counties predict that foliage will be near-peak to peak in most places in the area with 80% color change. Fall colors are rapidly increasing in Madison County as well, according to observers from Hamilton, who predict 80% color change with bright yellow, orange, and green leaves.

Foliage will be about 65% changed in Cooperstown with an abundance of yellow and orange shades, along with some reds among the remaining green.

In the Adirondacks, spotters in Lake Placid predict peak foliage this weekend with near-total leaf change and very brilliant shades of yellow, gold and red. At Whiteface Mountain Ski Area, observers expect peak foliage with more than 75% leaf change and very brilliant red, orange, green, and yellow leaves.

In the Catskills, spotters in Delhi are predicting peak and just-past-peak leaves with 80-95% color transition and stunningly brilliant shades of orange and red. Foliage is peaking in Windham and should remain so through the weekend, with almost total change and very brilliant red, orange, yellow, and purple leaves.

Broome County spotters from Binghamton predict peak foliage with 70% color change and a nice palette of autumnal colors. Foliage will be at peak in Chenango County with nearly complete leaf transition near Norwich, where spotters note yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance, along with pops of red.

Near-peak foliage will be found throughout most of the Capital-Saratoga region this weekend, with some peak leaves making their first appearances in Fulton County. Spotters reporting from the Willie Marsh Nature Trail at Peck Hill State Forest in Johnstown predict 75% color change and bright yellow and orange leaves, along with pops of red.

In the Finger Lakes, foliage will be 75% changed and peak this weekend in Elmira with bright yellows and greens, along with emerging shades of orange and red. Peak foliage will also arrive in Steuben County, according to spotters in Corning, Hammondsport, and Hornell, who predict 90% change and bright to brilliant fall colors.

Most of Tompkins County will be near-peak, according to spotters in Ithaca, with varying shades of red, orange, and yellow, and some green in areas near to Cayuga Lake. Foliage is expected to be at midpoint of change in Cortland County around Downtown Cortland, with 50% change and average to bright seasonal shades. Onondaga County spotters reporting from Pratts Falls in Manilus and Syracuse predict midpoint to near-peak foliage this weekend as color change is accelerating, with 45% or more color change with bright autumnal hues.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, color change is accelerating in Jefferson County, with Alexandria Bay reports predicting 95% transition this weekend and a full range of brilliant fall colors. In Oswego County, Oswego observers predict near-peak foliage with 60% or more change and bright red, orange, and yellow leaves. Along the back roads of eastern Oswego County, brilliant shades of red and orange are washing over the landscape with bright yellows highlighting the changes.

Volunteer spotters

The I LOVE NY team of volunteer foliage spotters, located throughout the state’s 11 vacation regions, are tasked with keeping track of the color change in their area as leaves progress each week.

The information is then used for fall foliage reports, which are posted online each week, featuring a detailed map of color change throughout New York State, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage and suggested autumn getaways.

About Fall Foliage

The weekly foliage report, a detailed map charting fall color progress, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage, suggested autumn getaways and weekly event listings are available by visiting the I LOVE NY web site at www.iloveny.com/foliage. Reports are also available by dialing, toll-free, 800/CALL-NYS (800/225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S.