I grew up in Southern Connecticut and without a doubt, the prettiest time of the year there is autumn. The reds, oranges and yellows of the trees in peak leaf-peeping season are just as spectacular as they are in other parts of the country. See the photo below that I took last November when I surprised my dad with a visit.
Better yet, the photo below, is from New York City’s Central Park which is just 42 miles from where I grew up. I took that photo on November 20, 2018 from the JW Essex House Hotel.
Right now is a good time to plan a leaf-peeping trip. I don’t usually recommend traveling anywhere last minute since it tends to cost more but timing a fall foliage trip can be tricky since no one really knows when the leaves are really going to start to change except Mother Nature.
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We all know that weather patterns have been changing so the tricky part of any fall foliage trip is getting the timing right. That’s where SmokyMountains.com‘s annual fall foliage map comes into play. Their map breaks down the continental U.S. into counties and uses a blend of sources to predict when that county’s trees will be in peak color. To use it, you just move the slider at the bottom of the map from left to right. As you move the slider, you’ll see the map change colors in accordance with the date (week).
How accurate is this fall foliage map?
As far as I can tell, it’s one of the best predictors of fall color you’ll find anywhere. The data powering this fall foliage map comes includes, among other sets, NOAA historical temperature data, NOAA historical precipitation data, NOAA temperature forecasts, NOAA precipitation forecasts, historical leaf peak trends, and peak observation trends.
More fall travel
- 5 Reasons Asheville, NC, Is America’s Greatest Fall Foliage Escape
- This Guide Will Help You Maximize Your Fall Travel Savings
