Veteran foliage analyst Kyle Cotner, known online as “Leaf Daddy,” announced last week that the 2026 autumn colors across New England are “elite” – the best he’s witnessed in nearly twenty years. Cotner, who runs The Foliage Report, said the region’s balanced spring‑summer rainfall, warm days and cool nights created ideal conditions for vibrant leaves.
Why New England shines this year
According to Cotner, adequate precipitation throughout the growing season allowed trees to build strong sugar reserves. When sunny days are followed by chilly nights, those sugars become trapped in the leaves, intensifying reds and oranges. The result, he noted, is a season that outshines even the strong 2020 display.
Contrast with the West
While New England enjoys a bumper foliage season, many western states are battling drought. Colorado’s trees have suffered from dry conditions, leading to a brief and muted color show. Aspen stands in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are also less golden this year. Utah, however, escaped the worst of the dryness and is seeing a healthier leaf‑turn.
Science behind the colors
Experts at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension explain that leaves produce food via chlorophyll. As days shorten, chlorophyll production stops, revealing yellow and orange pigments that have always been present. Cold nights trap sugars in the leaves, creating the deep reds that many leaf‑peepers cherish.
Leaf‑peepers share their experience
Connecticut nurse‑photographer Kirk Giglio described his recent trip through Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont as “blown away” by sunrise hikes and fog‑lit vistas in places like Crawford Notch. Despite crowds in popular spots, Giglio still found quiet, secluded areas to admire the colors. He reflected that in today’s “modern and gray” world, the natural palette of New England’s trees offers a rare, uplifting sight.
Season timeline
Cotner’s data shows the foliage season begins in Alaska around mid‑August and stretches to Florida by late December. Hawaii remains the only U.S. state without a traditional fall foliage display.
For those planning a leaf‑peeping adventure, Cotner recommends targeting areas with average precipitation and watching for warm days followed by cool nights – the perfect recipe for a spectacular color show.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
