Catch the Colors: Every Region’s 2025 Fall Foliage Forecast

Leaf-peeping season will soon be here, but some regions may not have the vibrant fall foliage they are used to. Every year, the trees shed their leaves and, in the process, they create a kaleidoscope of color that brings travelers from all over the country to witness Mother Nature’s annual show, but have you ever stopped to think about why the leaves change color? We’re going to break down the science behind the season and give you a heads-up on where to see the best fall colors in 2025. 

Key Factors for Vibrant Fall Foliage

There are a few different factors at play when it comes to those beautiful fall colors. You might be surprised to learn that it begins in the spring, with the weather (and rainfall) playing a large role in what happens in the fall. Before we get to the weather, let’s break down what’s going on within the tree itself. 

The entire process begins with a part of the leaf called the abscission layer, a layer of cells between the leaf stem and the tree branch. In autumn, the abscission layer stops bringing nutrients and water to the leaf, which is what causes the trees to drop their leaves.  Combine that process with the cooler nights and less daylight of fall, and this tells the tree to slow down the production of chlorophyll (which is what makes the leaves green). No chlorophyll means that other colors emerge. 

So what causes the different colors?

Once chlorophyll production slows down, other chemicals within the leaves have their time to shine. Here’s a nifty breakdown of what chemicals produce what color:

• Chlorophyll: Green
• Xanthophyll: Yellow
• Carotenoids: Orange
• Anthocyanins: Red

The weather in the fall can significantly influence how these chemicals react. Typically, fall is associated with cooler (but not freezing) nights. When we have warmer-than-normal evenings, the production of anthocyanins is slowed down, meaning we won’t get those deep reds or purples. The same is true if we experience early frost or freeze—the leaves won’t produce the chemicals, so we end up with shades of brown, or the tree simply drops the leaf entirely. It’s all about balance!

We need three key factors for a vibrant fall, and it’s a year-round effort:

• Healthy growing season: A steady rainfall in the spring gives the trees the fuel they need to get through summer and enter autumn with less stress. The more stress the tree endures, the less of a fall show.

• Sunny days and cool nights in autumn: Cool evenings (without frost!) help trap the sugars in leaves, which fuel those beautiful shades of red and purple. Warm, humid nights do the opposite, which is one reason why weather plays such a critical role in fall foliage. 

• Minimal disruptions: Flooding and droughts can easily affect a tree's stress levels and result in duller colors, but so can early frosts, insects, and fungus. Even wildfire smoke can affect things. 

Which Trees Have The Best Fall Colors

Spend any time in the south (especially along the Gulf Coast) and you’ll quickly learn that fall foliage is dependent upon what kinds of trees thrive in your region. Every tree species is unique, and they all have a different mixture of chemicals, which is why some trees favor yellow, some favor red, etc. This is why Colorado’s aspen trees have that legendary golden yellow color, and the maple trees found in the east are known for their shades of red. As much as I love my state’s endless abundance of cypress and longleaf pine, they do not produce vibrant fall colors. 

What Region Will Have The Best Fall Foliage

Pair all of the above with a glance at weather patterns across the country this year, and you can see how some regions are in for a lackluster show. It won’t be a total bust across the country, but some areas will certainly outshine others. 

• New England: Thanks to a decent rainfall in the spring and summer, the kings of the season will remain on top, as AccuWeather® has predicted that New England will have some of the best fall foliage in 2025. 

• Midwest: Good news, gang! The Midwest is also expected to see a vibrant fall foliage this year. You guys have had a healthy growing season and can expect plenty of beautiful colors this year. An early frost could disrupt this, especially across the Dakotas and Minnesota, but you should still get a good show.

• Colorado Rockies/Plains: Similar to the Midwest, the Plains and the Colorado Rockies are looking forward to a beautiful fall season. Expect those aspens in Colorado to put on a great show, but it may be a short season. Dry weather may cause the leaves to drop earlier than usual, so get out and see them as soon as they start to change. 

• Pacific Northwest/California: This region will have a bit of fall foliage, but it won’t be a banner year. Thanks to a combination of drought, warmer temperatures, and wildfire smoke, these trees may drop leaves early from all of the stress. 

• Appalachians/Smoky Mountains: Heavy rainfall and flooding earlier in the year, combined with insect and fungus damage, mean that this region is looking at a less-than-stellar season. Expect duller colors across southwest Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, and even further south, including Mississippi and Alabama. All of these states are looking to have a subpar fall foliage and possibly early droppage of leaves. 

Our friends at AccuWeather® do a deep dive into the fall colors, so be sure to visit their website to learn more.

If your region doesn’t look hopeful, don’t worry; I think it’s worth your while to plan a fall getaway and do a little leaf peeping anyway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is beautiful year-round, even if those colors don’t pop like they have in past years. Take a trip to one of Colorado’s state parks and spend the day hiking through those golden Aspens, or take a fall foliage road trip. Get lost in the Berkshires of New England, or maybe even head further north to explore Maine in the fall.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.