The countdown to fall is officially on. SmokyMountains.com has released its annual fall foliage prediction map, and it's the tool every leaf-peeper needs to plan their autumn adventures.
The map, released in late August, is powered by a data model that blends historical temperature and precipitation, this year's forecasts, tree distribution and even real-time user reports. That last part is key—since 2022, travelers have been able to share live leaf updates, helping fine-tune the predictions for both the current season and future years.
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Using the map is easy: Just drag the slider along the bottom to track week-to-week changes across the country. Shades of green mean leaves haven't turned yet, brown means they're past their peak and the bright oranges and reds highlight when regions are at their most brilliant.
So, when and where should you go this year? Forecasts show cooler, drier weather in the Northeast, meaning leaves may change earlier—and pop more vividly—than usual. Expect northern New England, the Adirondacks and the Poconos to hit their prime from late September through early October. The Rockies, Cascades, Smokies and Blue Ridge will follow, with higher elevations turning more than a week before surrounding lowlands.
By mid-October, peak color sweeps across the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes, followed by the central U.S. and Mid-South in late October. The final act unfolds in the Deep South, Southern Plains and Florida in early to mid-November.
Not everywhere will shine, though. Warmer, wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West may dull the display, while the Southeast could see a slower, less intense season.
To get more specific about prime peeping destinations, the map shows that Vermont should be dazzling between September 29 and October 10. Upstate New York and Washington state both peak October 6–17. Colorado will show off October 13–17. Tennessee hits its stride between October 20 and 31.
This fall could be one of the most colorful in years, so check out the map and plan your autumn accordingly.