UNC Asheville grad launches peak fall color website
Cooler temperatures have arrived, and North Carolinians are ready to celebrate fall. Meteorologist Evan Fisher has developed a website to help them do just that.
Fisher received his Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at the University of North Carolina in Asheville. Following his graduation, Fisher set out to create a source for predicting were and fall color would peak – a guide to help his fellow North Carolinians.
Fisher works to synthesize, analyze and translate temperature, precipitation and daylight data from the Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis along with partners at the Virginia Weather Network and the Foliage Report to provide daily updates and 10-day forecasts.
FIsher's website, ExploreFall has up-to-date maps that allow visitors to see when and where fall colors will start appearing. The site provides detailed data analysis, maps from previous years and additional foliage resources.
A blog goes into depth about specific stressors that influence fall colors. Fisher explains that the common causes for fall color depend on the temperature and precipitation, which can impact the vibrancy of the leaves.
He recommends a mid-October visit to see the fall colors at their peak along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in its neighboring towns. Towns like Boone and Asheville are great places for a fall getaway.
Fisher hopes to add data partners over time to provide maps for all the U.S. states and provide accurate reports to people who share his passion for fall foliage. Fisher is currently enrolled at NC State in their graduate program studying Geospatial Information Science and Technology.
