Weather won't affect fall foliage spectacle

ALBANY -- The unusual warmth earlier this year, a cold snap and then stretches without rain in some parts of the state won't have much effect on this fall's foliage color in New York, according to leaf-peeping forecasts.

Sunlight and the length of days determine when trees start showing off their yellows, oranges and reds, with cold snaps affecting the chemistry that brings out the deep reds and purples.

Some trees are already turning because of local stresses like drought or pests.

But the Catskills and Adirondacks are on track for the usual late-September, early-October show.

While tourism officials say tourists seeking nature's colors generally weren't deterred last season by tropical storms Irene and Lee, innkeepers in upstate areas that were heavily damaged are looking for a rebound from the publicity that kept some people away.

-- AP