Fall Foliage September 20 Weekend: Updated Map Reports Photos and Outlooks

Friday, September 20, 2024

Leaf color has developed early this year. The average estimate is about 2 weeks ahead of ‘normal’, and the consensus is that the hot and dry summer played a major role. A short drive north and west of Baltimore will get you into some of the first changes. Pockets of yellow, orange, and even red have been found in places like here by Lake Redman in York, PA. This is just off I-83.

There are mountainous areas in the Mid-Atlantic with moderate color at this time, and it may pay off for a a day trip for viewing in Western Maryland and West Virginia above 2,500 Ft elevation.

This is our region’s first report of the year, and I’ve included any maps I could find, plus a few photos and links.

Northeast US Map

There is also a good amount of color across the Great Lakes, Northern Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. Many higher elevations will be near their peak this weekend and week ahead. The acceleration of the color may come with cooler temperatures forecast.

This includes along Skyline Drive in Virginia.

West Virginia: Canaan Valley

Our friend Peter Forister captured these images this week showing peak color in this region above 3,000 Ft elevation.

Fall colors around Canaan Valley, West Virginia this evening. 🍁

Earliest I have seen them here. Photos as of Sep 18, ‘24. pic.twitter.com/5TQGxcApqX

— Peter Forister 🍁🍂🍁 (@forecaster25) September 19, 2024

Western Maryland Comparison

The Garrett County Forestry Board posted this collage this week. We can see the same area with moderate color about 2 weeks sooner than the past two years.

Latest Leaf Maps

Maryland and West Virginia are up to speed here. At the time of this writing, no other Mid-Atlantic state maps were available. I will update this post if Pennsylvania or Virginia are published.

Maryland:

Department of Natural Resources

This acknowledges the beginning color as far east as Carroll County. But I have personally seen it in Baltimore and even Anne Arundel Counties (north of Annapolis). There are also reports of pockets of color on The Eastern Shore.

Note that Western Maryland may be near peak in the next week to 10 days.

West Virginia

End Of Week Image: From West Virginia Tourism

Prediction Map

More info…

Live Leaf Map: Click the image below…

New York State

Just for good measure and a nod to my childhood.

Live Leaf Map: Click the image below…

Leaf Prediction Maps

These are subject to variation with elevation AND the weather. More rain at this time will not help, and any windy storms could strip leaves off of trees prematurely.

September 30

October 7

October 14

Please share your thoughts and best weather pics/videos, or just keep in touch via social media.

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RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region.

One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky. 

There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF