As October begins, parts of the Lehigh Valley are already not that far from reaching peak foliage color.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in its latest foliage report, said northern Northampton County, as well as counties such as Carbon and Monroe to the north, will be approaching peak color over the next few days.
Lehigh County, and neighboring Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties are just starting to change, the report states.
Foresters in Monroe and Carbon counties said fall is progressing quickly in the northern parts of the region. The southern part of the Monroe County is changing more slowly, but foresters noted that some areas are starting to show fall color.
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau said it believes colors will begin to peak in the northern region in early October, and the southern region, closer to the Lehigh Valley, by the middle or end of the month.
In its latest forecast, the visitors bureau said the southern end of both Monroe and Carbon counties is at 40% color, with 85% of leaves still on trees. The anticipated peak color for the region is the week of Oct. 15, according to the forecast.
The DCNR said southeastern Pennsylvania is starting to see early changes to fall color. Foresters recommend the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Bushkill Township for good autumn views.
