Autumn is just around the corner, bringing with it the crisp air, cosy sweaters, and, of course, the dazzling transformation of fall foliage. To help travellers and locals alike catch the vibrant colours at their peak, SmokyMountains.com has unveiled its 2025 interactive foliage map, offering week-by-week predictions for when and where the leaves will be at their most brilliant across the United States. The map also explains the science behind why leaves change colour —making it a fun learning opportunity for families.
Developed by SmokyMountains.com, the map utilises a refined data model that depends on a combination of factors such as historical weather figures, temperature and precipitation forecasts, and user-submitted reports to provide accurate predictions for every state and county. “Similar to a weekend weather forecast, the timing of our map update is important. The backbone of the map is meteorology — temperature, moisture, sunlight, and precipitation,” they shared.
“While meteorology is most accurate immediately before an event, a forecast is more useful to travelers and end users when made in advance. With our unique blend of historical and forecast data, we are able to make a highly accurate prediction by the end of August. The drastic year-to-year changes dictate that we create a new map from scratch with new data each year. Our end goal is to produce a map that’s useful and fun!”
The 2025 fall foliage season is expected to begin on 1 September and conclude on 17 November. According to the map, Tennessee expects its peak foliage later in the season, between 20 and 31 October, and Colorado will see its leaves change around the same time, between 13 October and 17 October. Vermont might wear its brightest colours earlier, likely from 29 September through 10 October, while Washington and Upstate New York will be hitting their peak between 6 and 17 October.
The map also highlights regional variations in foliage timing. In the Northeast and Appalachians, cooler-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation are expected to cause leaves to reach peak colour earlier and be more vibrant. Peak colour in Northern New England, the Adirondacks, and the Poconos is likely to arrive as early as late September and continue into early October. Conversely, the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West may experience later and less vibrant colour changes due to warmer and wetter-than-normal conditions. The Southeast and Deep South are anticipated to see peak foliage around late October through mid-November, with warmer but drier conditions potentially leading to delayed and more subdued displays.
Meanwhile, in higher elevations like the Rockies, the Cascades, the Smoky Mountains, and the Blue Ridge, peak colour is expected to arrive “well over a week earlier than lower-elevation areas within their same state.” This timing difference creates striking, tiered landscapes, with waves of yellow and orange gradually spilling down the valleys as the autumn season unfolds.
After Northern regions see their vibrant landscapes, peak foliage will move into the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes by mid-October, shift to the Mid-South and central U.S. later that month, and finally reach the Deep South, Southern Plains, and Florida in early to mid-November. Not all areas will enjoy the same panorama, though — warmer, wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West could delay colour changes and lower their intensity, while the Southeast and Deep South are expected to be warmer but drier, a combination that may push foliage later into the season and result in more muted hues.
As fall approaches, this map is the perfect guide for planning picture-worthy autumn getaways, helping travellers find the optimal time for their trips in their favourite regions. The tool also highlights local weather patterns and tree species prevalent in each area, making it easier to find the season’s most stunning landscapes.
