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The early 2025 fall foliage forecast for New England could spell ‘challenges’ for leaf-peeping
Yankee magazine's first 2025 fall foliage forecast for New England predicts that leaf-peepers may have to work a little harder to find peak colors this year.
It’s only August, but Yankee magazine has already published its first 2025 fall foliage forecast for New England.
According to meteorologist and leaf peeping expert Jim Salge, peak fall foliage in New England may be a bit tougher to find than usual this year. But there will still be brilliant pops of color in certain species of trees and at certain elevations.
“Beautiful colors will be out there, and likely plentiful,” Salge wrote in his preliminary 2025 fall foliage forecast. “But leaf peepers should plan their adventures to include different elevations and aspects to ensure they catch the show.”
Fungus impacts 2025 fall foliage in New England
The primary culprit for this year’s conservative foliage forecast is a somewhat ironic one: rain.
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According to Salge, New England was in dire need of precipitation after a drought last fall. But the record-breaking rains in May came during what’s known as “leaf-out” season.
Because leaves couldn’t dry off for weeks, fungus and mildew growth impacted red oaks, maples, and other tree species in certain areas of New England. This could make prime foliage conditions “more of a complex patchwork” than usual, according to Salge.
What could save the 2025 fall foliage forecast?
The fall foliage can be impacted by both long-range and short-term factors, and the weather leading up to fall is crucial for achieving peak colors.
If New England can string together an unbroken stretch of “warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights,” according to Salge, then the fall foliage should pop with its usual blend of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.
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If, however, hurricane season brings drenching rains and damaging winds, the fall foliage forecast could shift dramatically.
When will New England hit “peak” fall foliage in 2025?
While a New England weather forecast can change at the drop of a hat, the long-range outlook for September indicates that peak fall foliage may come a bit earlier than usual in 2025.
Salge noted in his forecast that despite the rain earlier this year, a recent dry spell has pushed parts of New England back into drought territory.
“While the deep forest tends to be more resilient, we will likely see fall colors emerge slightly early this year if the dry weather continues,” Salge wrote. “This should hold true region-wide, but northern areas have the greatest potential to turn a bit early this year, given that cold air can sneak down from farther north.”
Despite the warnings that this year’s leaf-peeping may present challenges, Salge was ultimately optimistic.
“Overall, New England’s fall colors rarely disappoint,” Salge wrote. “Despite some challenges, this year should be no exception.”
You can read Salge’s full 2025 fall foliage forecast for New England on Yankee magazine’s website.
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