Fall is right around the corner, but it’s already making its arrival known; days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder and leaves are already beginning to change.

The New York State Division of Tourism says New York is a popular leaf peeping destination.

“We have the longest foliage season of any state in the nation,” Executive Director Ross Levi said. “That’s thanks partially to our size, but also to our geography and the types of trees we have that are really prone to really spectacular foliage.”

It’s that spectacular foliage that brings in visitors from all over.

“People come from all over the world to see the northeastern fall colors, and it’s absolutely justified,” Don Leopold said, a distinguished teaching professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Those visitors are vital to the state’s economic health. Levi says tourism is the state’s second largest industry.

“It’s responsible, literally, for one in nine jobs, and it saves every household over $1,500 in taxes they otherwise would pay,” Levi explained.

That’s why I Love NY has been providing a fall foliage report for more than 40 years.

Levi, who is also the executive director of I Love NY, says it’s a great tool for tourists who are not only looking forward to leaf peeping, but also looking forward to taking in all the great seasonal attractions the region has to offer.

“Whether that’s getting out into the great outdoors, taking a scenic drive on one of our national scenic byways, going to a wine trail, picking apples and pumpkins, there’s just so many exciting ways to experience fall in New York state,” Levi said.

The report compiles information from “leaf spotters” across the state who report when leaves are near peak, at peak, or past peak as the season progresses.

“We now have over 100 volunteers of leaf spotters across New York state, including me, that are in their local neighborhoods, reporting on what they’re seeing,” Levi explained.

Leopold says if the weather cooperates, leaf peepers and leaf spotters alike are in for a phenomenal foliage season.

“If the conditions are clear, if there’s relatively few prolonged rain events, prolonged wind events, the fall colors should be outstanding,” the professor explained.

I Love NY’s Fall Foliage Report will be updated every Wednesday. You can see the report here.