ALBANY
Hoping to check out the leaves as they change colors this fall? There's a map for that.
Every Wednesday this fall, the state will issue a foliage report with updates on which areas of the state are beginning to turn and which have already hit their peak, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.
The report, the first of which was issued this past Wednesday, includes a map with current foliage conditions, as well as an accompanying forecast of where leaves are expected to change soon.
"The changing leaves also drive regional tourism across upstate, supporting jobs and providing a significant boost to local economies," Cuomo said in a statement.
So far, few leaves have started changing their color. A few small portions of the Adirondacks have started to change, as well as part of the eastern Catskills and the southern Watertown area, according to the state's map.
By this weekend, the Kingston area of Ulster County is expected to see up to 15 percent color change, the report forecasts.
The report is part of the effort to boost autumn tourism in New York, and is being paired with a social media campaign.
Each week, the state will select a "Foliage Photog of the Week" based on photos submitted on social media with the hashtag "#NYLovesFall." Photos submitted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are eligible.
A contest winner will be chosen each Wednesday beginning Sept. 22, and photos must include the location of where the photo was taken.
Winners each week will receive an "I Love NY" shirt, with the submission garnering the most likes or favorites at the end of the fall receiving a gift basket with New York-produced products, according to Cuomo's office.
The weekly foliage report can be found at www.iloveny.com/seasons/fall/foliage-report.
