Before you head out the door to view fall color, please make sure you check conditions first and make reservations for Grandfather Mountain as spots book up quickly. Here's a look at current conditions and wind gust speeds in the mountains.
Wind Gust Speed in Miles Per Hour: Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina
Current Temperature, Radar and Alerts
"Fall Color Guy" says to head to the mountains this week | Peak color at high elevations is underway
Most of the peak fall color will follow the typical timing for North Carolina's mountains according to local fall color expert, Howard S. Neufeld, a professor and researcher at Appalachian State University.
Typically, we anticipate fall color peaking in North Carolina's High Country anywhere from early October to the middle of the month, but Neufeld says the early September chill caused some trees to show vibrant color earlier than usual in a few spots around the Blue Ridge Parkway. He also remarked in early posts that along the Appalachian Mountain tops in isolated spots, leaves have already dropped from August and September drought conditions.
Here's more from the "Fall Color Guy"
Neufeld has a doctorate in forest science and researches plant ecophysiology. He's better known to most around North Carolina as the "Fall Color Guy." His Fall Color Guy Facebook announcements of ground reports and forecasts along the Blue Ridge Parkway help drive tourism this time of the year by predicting whether the weather will help encourage peak fall color to show early or delay it.
While areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway may be peaking at the higher elevations, there are will still be great viewing down in lower elevations and into the Foothills through the next ten to 14 days as lots of green is still showing in the forests.
Check for road closures along the Blue Ridge Parkway here and tips from the National Park Service rangers for planning your trip.
Neufeld also recommends this quick read on what fall color is all about from the Farmer's Almanac.
Typical fall color season times in North Carolina and peak times
Fall color from Elkin, North Carolina, in November of 2024
The Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions, according to scientists with explorefall.com, and they claim that their forecast model has a three-day accuracy for fall color prediction of 80%. Explore Fall forecasters are now able to use fall foliage remote sensing data and incorporate those real-time color developments into their model.
Where fall color may appear during the next seven days in the U.S.
Aspen in Autumn from Rocky Mountain National Park
The forecast for the next seven days from Explore Fall shows that the Rocky Mountains and the Northwest color change will be underway. Otherwise, a tree's main cue to change colors is dependent on shorter days that develop in fall as we approach winter. We will update you as fall color reports arrive. You can also share your fall color with us here on the WXII 12 News Facebook group: ulocal North Carolina.
Most of the year, our leaves are green. This is because of something called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll allows trees to absorb energy from the sun and make food through photosynthesis. This is how the tree gets nutrients and stays healthy. As the seasons change, temperatures get cooler and days get shorter. Trees get less direct sunlight, and the chlorophyll in their leaves begins to break down. The lack of chlorophyll is what causes those yellow, orange, and red pigments in the leaves to be revealed. How quickly the leaves change varies around the world. The weather can also have an effect on fall foliage. The best colors usually come when the weather is sunny, cool, and just the right amount of rainfall. Fall colors around Winston-Salem and Greensboro usually peak in late October and early November, while colors in the mountains usually peak sooner, thanks to the higher elevation and cooler temperatures.