The US fall foliage forecast is out. Here’s where to see the most vibrant colors this year

This fall’s foliage forecast is out, telling leaf peepers where they can see the best colors of the season.

Northern states across the U.S. are forecast to have the best luck this year, according to forecaster AccuWeather .

Fall doesn’t officially start until September 22, marking the autumnal equinox.

But most of these areas will see colors peak between late September and mid-October, thanks to lingering summer warmth.

“It may still look and feel like summer, but foliage on trees across Michigan will soon transform, as early as the first week of October in parts of northern Michigan,” Michigan’s Lansing State Journal says.

New England and upstate New York will be the best places for viewing this year, AccuWeather notes.

“Wet weather in late spring and early summer followed by drier conditions and cooler nights heading into autumn could set the stage for vibrant color,” the forecaster said Wednesday.

New England’s season was muted last year due to drought. That’s not the case this year, fall foliage blogger Jim Salge wrote last week.

“Given the abundance we are seeing in the woods right now, the recovery from last year’s drought has been about as good as we could have hoped for,” he said.

The Midwest and areas along the Northwest Cascade mountains could also have good color if dry days and cool nights arrive at the right time – but drought and wildfires could impact the quality of foliage in the interior Northwest.

Fires are continuing to burn in Oregon and Washington , with summer heat expected to linger amid the intensifying El Niño climate pattern .

California is typically riddled with blazes, but has seen fewer fires this year and is less impacted by drought, the federal U.S. Drought Monitor shows.

Conditions there mean fall color could impress, as well, AccuWeather said.

”Typical or vibrant foliage is expected across the Sierra Nevada and portions of northern California, where significant drought has largely been avoided and wildfire activity has been limited,” the forecaster wrote.