ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Fall colors are trickling down the mountains, but scientists expect peak season will come slightly late this year.
According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, a plant biology professor at Appalachian State and “The Fall Color Guy” on Facebook, the mountains typically peak between Oct. 10-20, though that varies based on the weather patterns year to year.
“Cool days will time the fall colors,” he said. “If it’s warm, fall colors tend to be delayed for some of the trees.”
This is especially true of the bright reds from maples. Bright sunny days and cool nights, help the trees produce sugar abundant sugar which gets trapped in the leaves. In response, the plants produce red anthocycanin pigments.
(Photos: Photos: Fall colors in the North Carolina mountains)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 2, 2023: Hints of fall color are appearing in the North Carolina High Country, especially at higher elevations, as seen here in this photo of Grandfather Mountain taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area has experienced many sunny days and cool nights the last few weeks, prompting the seasonal transition. While some pockets of color and certain trees are very vibrant at the moment, the overall landscape is still mostly green. The weather forecast for the week looks pleasant for those wanting to get the first glimpses of fall. (Skip Sickler /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 3, 2023: Fall color continues to emerge at the highest elevations of Grandfather Mountain. This photo was taken from the end of the Black Rock Trail looking toward the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 4, 2023: This sunrise photo was taken from the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain. Pictured is a spot (in the middle of this photo) that turns early every year and exhibits particularly vibrant fall color. This area, between Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway, usually changes first because it is a heath bald and the associated shrubs transition before the trees that surround it, making it pop amid the landscape. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 5, 2023: Fall color is filling the landscape of Grandfather Mountain's upper reaches, as seen in this image looking up at Linville and Morton Peaks.
While there is still a lot of green on the mountain, the transition to autumn hues is progressing from one day to the next. Colder temperatures are expected to move in this weekend and may cause the process to quicken. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 6, 2023: Fall vibrancy continues to ramp up in the High Country, as seen in this image looking toward neighboring Grandmother Mountain from the end of the Black Rock Trail. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 7, 2023: One of the best places at Grandfather Mountain for spotting fall foliage right now is from the area in front of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. This view looking up toward Linville Peak showcases a variety of seasonal colors contrasted with evergreen trees. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 8, 2023: Very nice pockets of color are developing around the Linn Cove Viaduct, the iconic bridge that winds around Grandfather Mountain. Fall foliage in the region is at its best above 4,500 feet in elevation, though this weekend’s colder temperatures could spur the color development on. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 9, 2023: The park road at Grandfather Mountain provides a nice snapshot of the current landscape. While some vibrant trees and pockets of color dot the hillsides, there is still much to come. Overall in the region, a lot of green remains. This view from the switchbacks near the top of the mountain shows the entrance of the Bridge Trail across from the Black Rock parking lot. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 10, 2023: Bright hues of witch hazel highlight this iconic view of Forrest Gump Curve on the drive up to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Witch hazel is among the many seasonal plant species that also brighten up the fall color landscape. Likewise, unique and colorful in this area of the park right now are the red berries of mountain ash and the yellow flowers of goldenrod. This vantage point can be found at Cliffside Overlook. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 11, 2023: Though the mountain and surrounding areas have not yet reached their peak, more autumn hues are covering the landscape each day. Linville Peak’s lofty vantage point makes it one of the best places in the N.C. High Country to enjoy a fall view. Throughout the season, this location, on the far end of the Mile High Swinging Bridge, remains an ideal spot to take in the color progression as it makes its way down to lower elevations. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 12, 2023: This long-distance shot of Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge (and Top Shop building, on the right) was taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Green Mountain Overlook, at Milepost 300.6. The red, yellow and orange hues set against an evergreen backdrop are becoming more and more vibrant. The weather conditions for Friday should be pleasant for leaf-peeping adventures in the area, with scattered light rainfall forecasted for over the weekend. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 13, 2023: Cliffside Picnic Area and Overlook provides this unique vantage point looking up at Linville Peak, with fall foliage and the rich red hue of mountain ash berries brightening up the shot. This spot is just one of a dozen picnic areas in the park. These sites are located in some of the mountain’s most picturesque settings and offer an array of scenic views. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 14, 2023: Color is widespread on the mountain, including in nearby MacRae Meadows, as seen in this photo taken earlier this week. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 15, 2023: The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linville and Blowing Rock remains one of the best routes to see autumnal tones. This view offers the additional treat of fall color reflecting off of Price Lake. Grandfather Mountain is also mirrored in the water, as seen in this photo taken last week. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 16, 2023: Color has really ramped up across the area in the last few days, as seen in this iconic view of the Linn Cove Viaduct from U.S. 221. The surrounding towns of Linville, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain and Boone are all great locations to see widespread and vibrant color. This photo was taken on Sunday. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 17, 2023: This stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain is really showing off a vibrant blend of fall colors this week. The scene displayed in this photo is a long-distance view of the very popular Rough Ridge, which can be accessed from a trail at Milepost 302.8. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 18, 2023: Fall foliage on Grandfather Mountain remains exceptionally colorful as the surrounding vistas get increasingly vibrant. Colors are currently the best above 3,500 feet. The Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitats provide another perspective of autumn hues, as seen in this image from an overlook at the bear habitats. The color show can also be enjoyed from the cougar and elk viewing areas. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 19, 2023: The Historic Cheese House in Banner Elk plays off the surrounding autumnal tones. The structure, built in 1917 and originally home to an award-winning cheddar cheese operation, is now owned by Lees-McRae College. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 20, 2023: Fall color beautifully fills this shot of the Historic Mill Pond in Banner Elk, showcasing a serene autumn setting. While today’s (Friday’s) forecast calls for occasional rain, the skies should clear for most of the weekend. The area’s foliage is exceptionally vibrant right now for those planning their leaf-looking trips. (Skip Sickler /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 21, 2023: This image from the Black Rock Trail at Grandfather Mountain shows golden autumn hues strikingly contrasted against the green rhododendron leaves below. (Leslie Restivo/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 22, 2023: The past week has been spectacular, with more to come as fall colors continue to make their way down to lower elevations. The area around the Linn Cove Viaduct has been especially vibrant this season, attracting thousands of visitors looking to see this engineering marvel surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color. (Skip Sickler /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 23, 2023: Colorful maple leaves frame this image of the Linville River near the Linville Falls Visitor Center. Currently, the best fall color can be seen below 4,500 feet in elevation. (Skip Sickler /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 24, 2023: As we move into late October, Grandfather continues to be a great color destination. The lower half of the mountain currently has bright autumn hues on display, as seen in this photo taken from the Woods Walk.
This 0.4-mile exploration trail loops through a northern hardwood forest and is perfect for a leisurely woodland stroll, with benches and picnic tables available for those looking for a restful time surrounded by fall leaves. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 25, 2023: Fall color and sunlight illuminate this iconic bridge along the Blue Ridge Parkway in this photo taken near the Linville Falls Picnic Area, at Milepost 316.5. The great weather this week provides ideal conditions for a scenic autumn drive. Heading south along the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Grandfather Mountain area still provides a nice look at fall foliage. Routes into the High Country from lower elevations, such as U.S. 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock, N.C. 181 between Morganton and Pineola and U.S. 221 between Marion and Linville, are also currently offering picturesque views. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 26, 2023: Golden hues of sunrise brighten fall foliage in the Linville Gorge, as seen in this image taken from The Chimneys near Table Rock. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 27, 2023: Autumn lights up the landscape in this image taken near Grandfather Mountain’s park road, just above MacRae Meadows. There have been some spectacular yellow hues to be seen this week. The 2-mile drive on U.S. 221 between Linville and Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate has been ablaze with color, especially in the light of early evening. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 28, 2023: Fall colors continue to put on a show in the N.C. High Country, as shown in this photo taken near the Linville Falls Visitor Center. (Leslie Restivo /Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 29, 2023: This sunset shot in Valle Crucis shows a late autumn view of golden and crimson hues. The drive along N.C. 194 between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis is always a noteworthy route for fall color viewing. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 30, 2023: Though some nice pockets of fall color remain, Grandfather Mountain is now past peak as we near the end of October. The Mile High Swinging Bridge area and higher overlooks remain prime viewing locations for color descending to the Piedmont.
This photo of the mountain’s lofty peaks was taken from U.S. 221, just south of MacRae Meadows. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
Fall colors at Grandfather Mountain Oct. 31, 2023: Locals and visitors alike enjoyed an extended fall color season this year, with great autumn hues throughout the month of October in the N.C. High Country. This photo was taken from Chestoa View Overlook, located at Milepost 320.8 along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This marks the end of the daily reports from Grandfather Mountain. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)
As for the yellow pigments, in poplars and ash trees, those are always present in the leaves but become more apparent as temperatures cool, the plants go dormant and the chlorophyll in their leaves fades.
Another factor can be water. In drought years, trees can get stressed, causing leaves to wilt or drop early. Though October has been abnormally dry, Neufeld does not expect that to have much of an impact on colors at least in the mountains.
“We’re close enough to the peak season that even if it doesn’t rain, there’s enough water in the soil that they’re going to go through their fall color season without getting too drought stressed,” he said.
Once leaves start to turn, Neufeld said trees use less water. While mountains may be far enough along in the process though, color in places in the Piedmont and Sandhills where things are significantly drier could be impacted if rain doesn’t come soon.
For the most part however, Neufeld said his focus is completely on temperature.
“We’ve had a mini warm wave, not a heat wave, this last week. It kind of slowed the colors down,” he said.
Based on this warm spell combined with heat in late September and early October, Neufeld expects most of the mountains to peak between Oct. 24-31.
“Between this weekend and the next weekend we’ll see the colors really develop,” he said.
Neufeld said there isn’t enough evidence to show a trend in colors appearing later than usual over time, however, he says in recent years there has been a lot more variability than in his first eight years of forecasting.
“From 2008-2016 all but one year were within this October 10-20th period so they were all on time,” he said. “Staring in 2017 it’s all over the place.”
For those interested in traveling for leaf peeping, he says it’s hard to plan too far in advance, but he can help narrow down where things might be the brightest in each of his weekly reports.
(VIDEO: Things to see and do in Blowing Rock and Boone)