Brief
Leaf‑tracking expert calls 2026 New England foliage season ‘elite’
The Foliage Report’s Kyle Cotner says 2026 is an “elite” year for New England leaf color, contrasting with weaker displays in the Rockies and Plains.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kyle Cotner, who runs The Foliage Report, told the Associated Press on Oct. 12 that 2026 is an “elite” year for fall foliage in New England, surpassing even the strong 2020 season.
What happened
Cotner, a former Florida resident who began sending foliage newsletters to White House colleagues in 2007, now maps leaf color across the United States. He said New England experienced ample rain in spring and summer, followed by warm days and cool nights in autumn, creating optimal conditions for vivid leaves. By contrast, he noted that Colorado suffered an extreme drought that limited its foliage, and aspen trees in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho were less golden than usual. Utah, however, received enough precipitation to produce a strong display.
What the reports add
The AP piece includes Cotner’s own assessment that the current season is the best he has observed in nearly 20 years. He compared the weather patterns to those of 2020, calling 2020 “very good” but not as striking as 2026. The article also explains the scientific process behind color change, citing the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension: chlorophyll fades as days shorten, revealing orange and yellow pigments, while sunny days followed by cold nights trap sugars that create red pigments.
What was said
"I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years, and this is the best I’ve seen of New England in that time," Cotner said, according to the Associated Press. He added, "2020 was a very good year, but this one seems elite to me." Regarding the West, he remarked, "They got enough rainfall in that area," referring to Utah, and explained that an average amount of precipitation is needed to bring out the most colorful leaves.
How it came about
Cotner’s expertise grew from a 2007 office prank to a professional operation called The Foliage Report, which tracks leaf color from coast to coast. His background in complex mapping systems gives him authority to evaluate seasonal conditions. The current assessment follows a period of adequate precipitation in New England’s spring and summer, a pattern that differed sharply from the drought‑stricken Rockies.
Key facts
- Kyle Cotner of The Foliage Report calls 2026 the best New England foliage season in nearly 20 years. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- New England had adequate spring‑summer rain and warm days with cool nights heading into fall. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Colorado experienced extreme drought, limiting its foliage, while Utah received enough rain for a strong display. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Aspen trees in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are less golden this year, according to Cotner. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- University of New Hampshire experts explain that red pigments form when sugars are trapped in leaves after sunny days and cold nights. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “New England's having an 'elite' year, but there's fall foliage elsewhere, too”
