Pumpkin spice lattes are here, meaning that a landscape of fall colors is just around the corner in East Tennessee.
Each fall, the Great Smoky Mountains don picturesque shades of orange, red and yellow. The East Tennessee landscape looks like something out of a storybook.
Autumn is a wildly popular time for tourism in East Tennessee. Visitors flock to Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas for "leaf peeping."
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has some of its busiest days of the year during October. For week-long periods, the park service predicts the Smokies will have "heavily congested roadways and completely full parking lots at most destinations."
But it's all for good reason: The views are stunning.
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If you're heading to the Smokies to hike or drive through awe-inspiring autumn scenery, here's everything you need to know this year.
Will the fall foliage be good this year in Tennessee?
Unfortunately, East Tennessee is expected to have a "duller" year of fall color, according to the Accuweather fall foliage forecast.
The vibrancy of an area's landscape is determined by the weather conditions leading up to fall. Warm, humid nights, as well as drought, wind, torrential rain, insects or early frost, can result in duller colors, according to Accuweather.
"I do think that there could be times where we see the fall foliage bright, but it may be a short window in some places because of weather factors," AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok explained.
What is the best time to see fall colors in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?
Tennessee will have widespread fall color starting around mid-October, according to Accuweather.
However, vibrant fall hues will come first to areas at higher elevation, such as Mount LeConte and Mountain City. Then, as days pass, the color will trickle down the mountains to adorn lower-elevation areas like Knoxville and Pigeon Forge.
Since Gatlinburg is at a lower altitude, visitors can expect at least "moderate" color starting around Oct. 22, according to the fall foliage map.
Your guide to Knoxville and Gatlinburg fall festivals, haunted houses and pumpkin patches
Fall color forecast: When to see fall colors in Tennessee
Don't miss out on the best autumn views! Here's when to expect at least moderate color around East Tennessee, according to the Fall Foliage Map.
All areas of East Tennessee are forecast to lose their leaves by mid-November.
What is the best national park to visit in October?
U.S. travelers will often go "leaf peeping" during the fall months to catch the most stunning autumn views across the country.
These are the top national parks for leaf peeping, according to the Wilderness Society.
What fall colors can you see in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg?
In the Smokies, you'll likely see all shades of yellow, red and orange. Here are a few of the most common trees that you'll find in the Smokies and what color their leaves turn as the seasons shift.
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: [email protected].
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