New England’s Fall Colors Could Disappoint This Year

First, don't shoot the messenger.

From what I am reading, New England's fall colors might disappoint lovers of the leaves this year. It happens. It may happen again – and sooner than we might like.

For all of you summertime warriors, soldiering into the "ber" months at least hoping to ease into it with wild splashes of reds, oranges and yellows to soften the impact, the fall foliage could be a dud around these parts this year.

New England's fall foliage generally occurs from mid-September to early November, depending upon your location and elevation. Upstate Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine tend to reach peak colors first, usually from late September to early October.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut can usually expect peak color by mid-October, perhaps even later in coastal areas.

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Since the fall foliage is natural, there are no guarantees that it will be wonderful. The weather can be poor for your leaf-peeping excursion, or perhaps the colors are not as vibrant as you expected.

Be forewarned: this year's fall foliage season may be quick and less than spectacular.

Springfield-based WWLP-TV reported that "Fall foliage in New England may arrive earlier this year due to a hot, humid, and dry summer that has stressed the trees."

"The summer's weather conditions could affect the vibrance of the fall colors and cause leaves to drop faster," reported the station.

Not good news if you dropped a small fortune to book a fancy inn up north during Columbus Day weekend, which is very popular with the leaf-peeping crowd.

Boston.com reported, "The primary culprit for this year's conservative foliage forecast is a somewhat ironic one: rain." Record-setting May rains that followed last year's drought may have resulted in a fungal condition that could impact the vibrancy of the fall colors.

Boston.com said all hope is not lost, yet. A string of "warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights" could still salvage the season.

Massachusetts has an interactive fall foliage tracking map to help plan your leaf-peeping adventures.