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Foliage Update: Peak Colors Slide South for Columbus Day Weekend
October 8, 2025 at 08:54 PM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologists, Alyssa Robinette and Andrew Rosenthal
As autumn deepens across the United States, vibrant fall colors are painting the landscape from the Midwest to the Appalachians.
Astronomically, the first day of fall was September 22, when the sun’s perpendicular rays crossed the equator. Each day is getting shorter, and this causes a chemical reaction in the leaves that leads to the color changing. As days become cooler and shorter, the trees’ ability to make chlorophyll, a pigment that keeps the leaves green, decreases and causes the leaves to become red, orange and purple.
In the Midwest, fall foliage is a patchwork of seasonal stages. Northern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin have already passed their peak, with many trees now bare. However, central areas such as Illinois, Indiana, and southern Iowa are still showcasing brilliant reds and oranges. These areas are currently experiencing peak to near-peak conditions, offering a stunning display of autumn’s finest.
Travelers in the Midwest can catch the best views along several major highways. Interstate 80 is a standout, cutting through those vibrant zones in Iowa and Illinois. Interstate 70 also offers scenic stretches through Missouri and Indiana. Numerous roads track north-and south between these two major highways, and so these routes provide easy access to some of the most picturesque foliage in the region.
The East and Appalachians are ablaze with color. Much of Pennsylvania and New York are at or just past peak, with rich hues blanketing forests and hillsides. Virginia is transitioning from moderate to peak conditions, especially in the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah regions. The recent spate of warm weather has kept colors at bay across the lower elevations, but the season is fast approaching there.
For a scenic drive through the East, Interstate 81 is a top choice, winding through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where peak foliage is expected. In New York, Interstate 87 offers breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley. Interstates 86, 84, and 80 go east to west across the higher elevations of New York and Pennsylvania, with widespread jumping points to allow you to see those picturesque leaves.
High pressure will generally mean dry weather for leaf-peepers this weekend, and light winds will make for perfect conditions for a leaf-filled road trip. Saturday will see sunshine for both the Midwest and the East, with just a bit of chill in the morning requiring a jacket. Sunday’s weather will be slightly more variable, with partly cloudy skies and a chance of light showers in northern areas such as upstate New York and northern Ohio. The rest of the region will remain dry. Columbus Day will have a fall-like feel, as a cold front brings clouds and cooler temperatures to the north. Chillier highs in the 40s, 50s, and 60s will be a sure sign that autumn is here.
Over the course of the autumn, WeatherBug Meteorologists will provide an outlook on the foliage conditions across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. This will include an updated map of conditions and details of these great colors. WeatherBug will also give some suggestions of roads to take for a leaf-peeping road trip, and a forecast for the weekend so you can know what to expect as you visit the colors.
Be sure to check your WeatherBug every week throughout the season to find out which region sees the best colors.
Astronomically, the first day of fall was September 22, when the sun’s perpendicular rays crossed the equator. Each day is getting shorter, and this causes a chemical reaction in the leaves that leads to the color changing. As days become cooler and shorter, the trees’ ability to make chlorophyll, a pigment that keeps the leaves green, decreases and causes the leaves to become red, orange and purple.
In the Midwest, fall foliage is a patchwork of seasonal stages. Northern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin have already passed their peak, with many trees now bare. However, central areas such as Illinois, Indiana, and southern Iowa are still showcasing brilliant reds and oranges. These areas are currently experiencing peak to near-peak conditions, offering a stunning display of autumn’s finest.
Travelers in the Midwest can catch the best views along several major highways. Interstate 80 is a standout, cutting through those vibrant zones in Iowa and Illinois. Interstate 70 also offers scenic stretches through Missouri and Indiana. Numerous roads track north-and south between these two major highways, and so these routes provide easy access to some of the most picturesque foliage in the region.
The East and Appalachians are ablaze with color. Much of Pennsylvania and New York are at or just past peak, with rich hues blanketing forests and hillsides. Virginia is transitioning from moderate to peak conditions, especially in the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah regions. The recent spate of warm weather has kept colors at bay across the lower elevations, but the season is fast approaching there.
For a scenic drive through the East, Interstate 81 is a top choice, winding through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where peak foliage is expected. In New York, Interstate 87 offers breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley. Interstates 86, 84, and 80 go east to west across the higher elevations of New York and Pennsylvania, with widespread jumping points to allow you to see those picturesque leaves.
High pressure will generally mean dry weather for leaf-peepers this weekend, and light winds will make for perfect conditions for a leaf-filled road trip. Saturday will see sunshine for both the Midwest and the East, with just a bit of chill in the morning requiring a jacket. Sunday’s weather will be slightly more variable, with partly cloudy skies and a chance of light showers in northern areas such as upstate New York and northern Ohio. The rest of the region will remain dry. Columbus Day will have a fall-like feel, as a cold front brings clouds and cooler temperatures to the north. Chillier highs in the 40s, 50s, and 60s will be a sure sign that autumn is here.
Over the course of the autumn, WeatherBug Meteorologists will provide an outlook on the foliage conditions across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. This will include an updated map of conditions and details of these great colors. WeatherBug will also give some suggestions of roads to take for a leaf-peeping road trip, and a forecast for the weekend so you can know what to expect as you visit the colors.
Be sure to check your WeatherBug every week throughout the season to find out which region sees the best colors.