New England experiences elite fall foliage season in 2026

The 2026 fall foliage season is seeing exceptional color displays in New England, described by foliage expert Kyle Cotner as “elite” and the best he has seen in nearly 20 years. This high-quality season is attributed to adequate spring and summer rainfall combined with warm days and cool nights.

In contrast, other regions are experiencing varied results due to weather patterns. Extreme drought in Colorado has led to a quick and lackluster foliage season, while aspens in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are reported to be less golden than usual. Utah remains a bright spot due to sufficient rainfall.

Biologically, the changing colors occur as trees prepare for winter. As days shorten, trees stop producing chlorophyll, allowing existing orange and yellow pigments to become visible. When sunny days are followed by cold nights, sugars can become trapped in the leaves, producing red pigments.