Weather

Peak color will welcome you if you head to the mountains this weekend

From north to south, many of our most popular locations are popping with color.

Posted Updated

By
Zach Maloch
, WRAL meteorologist

Fall in North Carolina is what many of us live for.

Albert Camus, the great French philosopher, once said, "Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower," and that couldn't be anymore true in the North Carolina mountains this weekend.

WRAL's Bryan Mims took a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway this past week to see what this "second spring" has to offer, saying, "the maple leaves tinted a show stopper crimson fluttering against an impeccable blue sky."

Luckily, this weekend's forecast will deliver a similar sight full of deep blues above and vibrant yellows, oranges and reds below.

WRAL Weather
WRAL Weather
Before you head out this weekend, we wanted to share the latest from Our State Magazine's experts and what they are currently seeing at some of our favorite mountain spots.

Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, Professor in the Appalachian State University Department, writes "most of the high elevations are peaking now from Boone Fork Trail to Linville Falls. Other areas have color and are approaching peak, which may occur this weekend or early next week above 3,000 feet.”

WRAL Weather
WRAL Weather

From north to south, many of our most popular locations are popping with color. Some areas like Graveyard Fields, southwest of Asheville, and Craggy Gardens, northeast of Asheville, are now past peak. Nonetheless, the hiking and pleasant weather will make all areas a lovely destination this weekend.

WRAL Weather
WRAL Weather
WRAL Weather
This fall color report comes to us from Our State Magazine and their amazing experts: Dr. James Costa, Professor in the Western Carolina University Department of Biology and Director of the Highlands Biological Station; Dr. Kathy Mathews, Professor of botany in the Western Carolina University Department of Biology and Director of the WCU Herbarium; and Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, Professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Biology.

WRAL's team of meteorologists will continue to share what those experts are seeing on WRAL News so tune in before you head out to the mountains over the next few weeks. Enjoy and happy leaf peeping!

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