PACE Foliage Updates - North America
PACE Fall Foliage Updates
PACE uses reflected light at very specific wavelengths to capture the red (anthocyanin) and green (chlorophyll) pigments in plants. Those pigments can then be compared to assess which color is most dominant on a broad scale. Values close to 1, represented in green on the maps below, mean that the reds and greens are about even, while higher values, shown in yellow and red, mean that the leaves have relatively more red pigment than green. When enough reds overtake the greens, the leaves start to change color to the human eye, making them perfect for leaf peeping!
Note: Not all the yellows and reds on the map represent fall colors. For example, agricultural areas may show up with high anthocyanin values when crops are starting to senesce or after harvest. Some agricultural regions of Brazil appear in the maps in September, and the United States Midwest (the "corn belt") will start showing signs soon.
See the images below for global and North American region maps for weeks beginning in August 2026. Earlier maps are at the bottom of the page and more current maps will be added to the top of the page throughout the fall. Each week (starting with September 14-21) will include a summary of what is occurring on the map.
October 12th-18th, 2026
Globally, areas across the northern hemisphere continue to see a growing or sustained presence of red pigments. North American forests and agricultural areas are bright on this week's maps, with anthocyanin showing up even into the southeast. The Ural Mountains and West Siberian Plains show strong anthocyanin signals, along with northeastern China and parts of Mongolia. European countries are also seeing low level red pigments show up in Scotland, the Balkans, and the Nordic countries. The Caatinga region in northeastern Brazil, starting its summer dry season, continues to show a high ratio of anthocyanin to chlorophyll. We are also starting to see less data at high latitudes due to low sun angle and, eventually, polar night. Expand October 12 global image.
This week, from October 12–18, we can see a blooming of red pigments throughout the United States and Canada, with red pigments overtaking green even into some of the southeastern states like Georgia and Alabama. The corn belt in the Midwest and the Canadian plains continue to show strong anthocyanin signals. The boreal forests of Alberta into the Northwest Territories and the western Yukon are all highlighted with red pigment this week as well. The Hudson Bay Lowlands, mountainous regions of the northeast, and the Alleghany Plateau are all likely past peak fall colors, but are still showing high relative red pigment amounts; some of this response may be due to soil showing up in the background, now that trees have lost some or most of their leaves. Expand October 12 North America image.
October 5th-11th, 2026
Globally, red pigment continues to be present across all of Russia and northeastern China, as well as Northern Europe and North America. Alaska in particular is seeing a strong anthocyanin signal along its west and north coasts. Compared to last week, pigment signals have slightly decreased as peak color passes in the highest latitudes and trees lose their needles and leaves. In the southern hemisphere, we see a strong red over green signal from the Caatinga region in northeastern Brazil. This area is currently entering their summer months and would not be exhibiting fall colors. The high values of the pigment ratio are likely a response to the dry season the region is currently experiencing. Expand October 5 global image.
This week, from October 5–11, we can see that red pigments are intensifying across the Canadian Plains, the Midwest, and the eastern part of North America. In contrast to last week, the hotspots of pigment in the mountainous Northeast have reduced as trees in the region lose their leaves and the pigment signals lessen. In the Midwest, anthocyanin signal is starting to stand out, especially in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and along the corn belt in states like Illinois and Iowa. Alberta and Saskatchewan continue to see high anthocyanin signals as well. Expand October 5 North America image.
September 29th-October 4th, 2026
Globally, strong red pigment continues to develop across Southwestern Alaska and near the treeline in northern Alaska. Colors are also appearing all across Russia and northeastern China as the larches continue to lose their needles. Forests in Northern Europe continue to develop more anthocyanin and are gaining presence on the map. Color is also increasing across North America, with Canada and the northeastern and midwestern United States showing high anthocyanin signal. Meanwhile, countries in the southern hemisphere continue showing high relative chlorophyll as they inch toward the summer months. Expand September 29 global image.
This week, from September 29–October 4, we can see that fall colors are emerging in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec and in the North Woods of Wisconsin, along with the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau along the Pennsylvania-New York border. Red pigments are intensifying in Southern Quebec, New York, and New England, specifically in the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains, and the White Mountains. These pigments are likely due to the maple, beech, and birch trees at higher elevations that have turned bright red and yellow. Agricultural areas continue showing strong anthocyanin signals as well. Expand September 29 North America image.
September 22nd-28th, 2026
Globally, color is spreading across Northern European countries like Sweden and Norway. Anthocyanin signals across North American countries are intensifying as well, while forests in countries across East Asia and Central/Western Europe continue to show relatively high amounts of chlorophyll. The strong color change in eastern Siberia is because boreal forests are dominated by larch trees, which are deciduous conifers, that is, needle-leaved trees who lose their needles in the fall and grow new ones in the spring. Expand September 22 global image.
This week, from September 22nd - 28th, we can see that red pigments are spreading across Canada and the northeastern United States, with colors appearing throughout much of Quebec and Ontario, as well as in the mountains in New England and northern New York. The Hudson Bay Lowlands and Great Lakes regions continue to show higher values of anthocyanin. Red pigment in agricultural areas is increasing as well, with the corn belt across the United States showing a concentrated amount of anthocyanin compared to last week’s figures. Expand September 22 North America image.
September 14th-21st, 2026
Globally, Siberia is starting to see very high values of red pigment compared to greens as we reach the first official days of autumn. The same changes are starting to be seen in Northern Europe and Canada. Shifts in pigment can also be seen in some agricultural areas in Brazil and the Canadian Prairies. Expand September 14 global image.
This week, from September 14– 21, we can see higher amounts of red pigment starting to appear across northern Canada and Hudson Bay Lowlands. Some of those same pigments are appearing in the agricultural areas of the Canadian Prairies and along the banks of the Mississippi River in the United States. The color changes visible in central Canada are likely due to the aspen woodlands of the southern boreal forest changing color. Expand September 14 North America image.
