The fall foliage season is underway with colors starting to turn across the North Country.

Beautiful fall foliage continues to appear across New York State, with some significant early color changes expected in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks and Catskills, according to field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

Foliage has yet to change much in St. Lawrence County, according to I LOVE NY program tourism program volunteers.

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County foliage spotters in the Mt. Arab and Tupper Lake areas note that color change there is underway with vigor and intensity, with as much as 35-40% leaf transition expected this weekend, and featuring fantastic hues of rhubarb, cerise, maize, saffron, russet, and tangerine. Spotters in Saranac Lake expect 25-30% color change with muted hues of yellow and red emerging. In the northern portion of the county, spotters from Malone predict 15% color change this weekend with muted red and orange leaves appearing over the mostly green backdrop.

In Essex County, Wilmington spotters at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area predict 15-20% or more color change this weekend, with some bright red leaves beginning to appear. Lake Placid spotters expect about 15% change, with touches of oranges and reds of average brilliance. While some leaves are changing quickly, the majority are still green. Spotters reporting from Newcomb expect up to 15% transition with increasing shades of orange and red. In Crown Point, spotters are predicting more than 10% color change with a sprinkling of muted golds and rusts, along with occasional bright shades of yellow. Reports from Ticonderoga are predicting 10% color change with average shades of yellow, red, and orange beginning to peak.

Herkimer County spotters in Old Forge are predicting at least 30% foliage change with muted shades of yellow and burgundy, along with some early reds. After some early color, leaf change has become more gradual, with shades of rust and dark red emerging. Look for some brilliant pops of reds and deep reds along Adirondack waterways. In Hamilton County, Long Lake spotters expect 30% foliage change with touches of orange and purple, along with muted reds. Reporters from Lake Pleasant are predicting 20% foliage change, with average to bright shades of yellow and orange starting to pop.

In Warren County, Lake George foliage spotters are predicting 15% color change, highlighted by vivid oranges, sunny yellows, and the occasional deep reds scattered amongst lush green foliage. Queensbury observers are also expecting 15% color change with muted purple, red, and orange leaves. In Clinton County, reports from Plattsburgh predict 10% color change with some muted yellow leaves.

Visit https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/fall/foliage-report/ for more information on the fall foliage watch.