New England: Update on Fall Foliage, When to Expect First Snowfall
New England has significant updates on two important moments for the rest of 2024: When the fall foliage colors will peak and when to expect the first significant snowfall.
Foliage expert Jim Salge told Yankee that New England’s fall foliage is projected to be very bold. This is due to optimal conditions in the spring and summer, including fewer bugs and caterpillars and weather conditions that weren’t too wet or too dry.
However, the past four weeks have seen very little rain in New England, with Boston’s last rainfall taking place on August 20. As a result, peak colors are expected to arrive earlier than usual and cause New England’s foliage to change all at once. It should be noted that the lack of rain leading to early peak colors will also mean the colors won’t last for very long.
Salge added that the current weather conditions will cause leaves on maples to be red, while birches will have bright yellow leaves.
Fall foliage changes color over time traveling from north to south. Typically, northern states with higher elevations see color changes in late September, followed by Northern New England and Western Massachusettes in early October and Southern New England in late October. Lastly, the shores of Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Cape and Islands in early November.
“This year again, though, we anticipate things to be a bit ahead of schedule,” noted Salge. “Because the wave of color takes so long, visitors may miss peak color at any one location but rarely miss seeing some peak color during their trip to New England. Plans may just have to shift either earlier or southward.
When Can New England Expect the First Snowfall?
While NBC Boston reported that flurries were spotted on September 8 near of summit of Jay Peak in Vermont, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the fall before the first snowfall.
“The first average inch of snow in nearby Burlington, Vermont, is typically around November 18, so early season flurries will happen from time to time,” noted NBC Boston. “In Boston, the average first date of measurable snow is typically November 29, and we wait even later for our first inch of snow around December 11.”
However, for those who aren’t fond of colder weather, there’s some good news. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a mild winter with higher-than-average temperatures and less overall snowfall. The publication writes, “While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard. We’re predicting a temperate, uneventful winter—potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years.”
