New Hampshire
2024 fall foliage predictions: These maps show when to see peak fall colors in NH
2024 fall foliage forecast
Leaf-peeping season is right around the corner. Here’s where you should go for the best fall foliage this year in the United States.
Fall is almost here in New England, which means New Hampshire is about to erupt in fall colors.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. However, the exact timing of fall colors, as well as how vivid they are, depends on the location and weather of the year.
Many weather factors can affect the fall color show, including drought, precipitation and warmer temperatures. The Climate Prediction Center predicts a warmer-than-average fall for nearly the entire U.S., which can lower the intensity of autumn colors, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac still predicts a great year for fall foliage in New England, recommending people take a trip to the White Mountains for the show.
And they’re not the only ones. Here’s a look at two of the other key forecasts.
Where and when leaves are predicted to change
Here’s a breakdown of how the 2024 foliage is predicted to change across the U.S., according to maps from the Smoky Mountains website:
As seen in these maps, the vibrant fall hues which New Hampshire is so well-known for are expected to peak in the first half of October. The region’s colorful foliage displays bring in about ten million leafpeepers each year.
Here is a map from AccuWeather showing the best month for autumn colors across the country:
Like the Smoky Mountains, AccuWeather predicts that New England’s best month for foliage will be October, with most of the region peaking in the early or middle parts of the month. According to this map, northern corners of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine could see an earlier peak in late September, while Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts will peak later in October.
More: Visit these six Eastern Mass. parks and trails to view great foliage this fall
How leaves change color in the fall
As plants receive less and less sunlight in the shortened days of fall, the production of chlorophyll, a substance which makes the leaves appear green by saturating them through turning sunlight into glucose, slows down. Without chlorophyll, the “true” color of leaves comes through, according to the Smoky Mountains website.
Changed leaves then begin to fall off their branches as the trees close off their veins in preparation for protection in winter, meaning the leaves no longer receive nutrients and therefore weaken at the stem.
SOURCE: The National Forest Service, SmokyMountains.com, ExploreFall.com
Doyle Rice and Janet Loehrke of USA Today contributed to this report.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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