Fall Color Predictions for Western North Carolina

As she has for the last several years, Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, has issued her predictions today on what the fall leaf season could look like this year.

Compared to last year, the news is much better. Ms. Mathews is predicting that visitors to the mountains of Western North Carolina can look forward to a vibrant display of color this fall.

“I predict this fall color change will be variable throughout the Southern mountains, but on the whole we should expect to see rich and attractive color change this season.,” she is quoted as saying in WCUs the Reporter.

“It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with above-average temperatures this summer. Rainfall has been slightly less than average during the spring and summer. These are two factors I look at when thinking about the timing and quality of fall leaf color change in the mountains,” she said.

Mathews also said that peak colors may arrive a bit later than normal this year as a result of the warm temperatures over the summer. She told the Reporter that she doesn't expect peak to arrive until perhaps the end of October - about a week or so later than normal.

You can read the full article by clicking here.


Jeff
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