Fall Foliage Peak Week Estimator
This is a rough historical-pattern guide, NOT a live forecast. It's based on general seasonal patterns (peak color moves south and downhill through Sep-Nov), not this year's actual weather or a foliage-tracking API. Actual peak timing can vary by 1-2 weeks or more.
Compared to the baseline (45°N, sea level, mid-October), your location's latitude and elevation shift the estimate earlier or later. Higher elevation and more northern latitude both mean earlier peak color.
A rough historical-pattern estimate of your fall foliage peak week based on latitude and elevation — explicitly NOT a live forecast or foliage-tracking API, just a general seasonal-pattern guide with an honest uncertainty note built into every result.
How it works
- Slide to set your latitude (degrees north)
- Slide to set your elevation in meters
- See an estimated peak color week range based on general historical southward/downhill patterns
Frequently asked questions
Is this a real-time fall foliage forecast?
No. This tool does not connect to any live weather or foliage-tracking API. It applies a general historical pattern — peak color starts in northern, high-elevation areas in September and moves south and downhill through October into early November — to your latitude and elevation. Treat it as a rough starting guide, not a precise prediction.
How much does elevation affect fall color timing?
As a general rule of thumb, every roughly 1,000 feet of elevation shifts peak color about a week earlier — so a mountain town at 3,000 feet often peaks 2-3 weeks before a valley town nearby at the same latitude.
Why does latitude matter?
Fall color generally starts in the northernmost areas first and moves south through the season, at a rough historical pace of 50-100 miles per week. Locations further south of the baseline latitude tend to see peak color later in the season.
How accurate is this estimate?
Not very precise by design — actual peak timing depends heavily on that year's specific weather (a warm, dry October extends the season; a cold, windy one shortens it), which this tool doesn't account for. Real-world peak week can vary from this estimate by a week or two or more. Use it as a general planning reference, then check local, current-year reports closer to your trip.
Related tools
From the blog
Update history
- 2026-09-29 Launched: latitude/elevation-based peak-week estimator using general historical fall-foliage patterns — explicitly not a live forecast, shown as a week-range with an always-visible honesty banner.