Get ready, leaf peepers – it’s going to be a good fall.

That’s the prediction from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation, as the department announced the official beginning of Maine’s fall foliage season today.

While it’s too early this week for any real color coverage anywhere, the department is gearing up for what it predicts will be a vibrant fall.

“This summer was one for the record books," said Gale Ross, who tracks foliage every fall for the department. "We had an abundance of daily sunshine with just the right amount of rainfall has set the stage for a breathtaking foliage season.”

Aaron Bergdahl, a forest pathologist for the department, has also been monitoring tree conditions throughout the summer.

“The growing season of 2024 has been excellent for trees, supporting tree health and resilience that should lead to brilliant fall colors throughout Maine,” he said.

The department has been issuing reports throughout the fall seasons in Maine since 1959. Typically, according to the report, colors hit their peaks in northern parts of the state as early as the last week of September or the first week of October.

From there, they work their way south, with coastal Maine areas usually reaching peak colors toward the end of October. The department has set up a website for the season, and viewers can even sign up for weekly emails with current reports on color conditions statewide.