AUGUSTA – The latest information from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry predicts Mainers and visitors to the Pine Tree State will have plenty of color to see over the holiday weekend.

The latest foliage report finds peak colors are moving into the center of the state and the western mountains. Moderate to high color change, or 50-70% of peak, is visible almost everywhere else.

Meteorologists speculated that ongoing drought conditions in effect since the summer might have had an impact, but Gale Ross, the department’s fall foliage spokesperson, said that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“The lack of rain did impact the length of the season, however, I don’t think it impacts the brilliance of the colors,” she said. 

Most tree types, Ross said, including maple and birch, are changing right about on time. Oaks, she said, have deep roots and tend to be last to turn, but they can remain colorful into November.

Ross said for the holiday weekend leading up to Indigenous People’s Day, many tourists typically flock to Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor for leaf-peeping. Colors should be on display there, too, but the peaks are a little farther inland.

“Central Maine is at high color right now, and it will be high color going into the weekend,” she said Friday.

Ross encouraged anyone wanting to learn more to visit the department’s foliage website.