Thanks to dry weather over the summer, fall foliage in Western North Carolina is predicted to be spectacular in the coming weeks.
According to NOAA Climate Scientist Jake Crouch, the summer of 2016 was the hottest on record for Asheville, with an average temperature of 75.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation trends included a mixture of wet and dry conditions, bringing the seasonal rainfall total just above normal at 13.57 inches.
Dr. Beverly Collins, a biology professor and fall foliage forecaster at Western Carolina University, states that the region's summer weather did not reach the extreme conditions that could pose a threat to fall leaf colors. Although vibrancy may vary from mountainside to mountainside due to warmer-than-normal weather, her prediction is that the disparity in precipitation amounts from the beginning to end of the summer could be favorable for a longer lasting leaf-change this year.
Some trees may respond to drought conditions by slowing photosynthesis and making way for red, orange and yellow pigments earlier than normal, while other species that aren't as drought sensitive may wait a little longer to begin to turn. "These nuances in the different species combined with elevational ranges create a variation in timing and color, making for a prolonged season," added Collins.
Here is the fall color forecast for the North Carolina Blue Ridge, by week, starting in October:
September 28th - October 5th: Peak time for areas above 5,000 feet. This would include: Clingmans Dome, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell and Graveyard fields (the first location on the Parkway to turn) and higher elevations of The Blue Ridge Parkway.
October 5 - 16: Peak time for most areas. This would include almost all Blue Ridge Parkway locations. This is peak time for the majority of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fall Colors as well.
This is a great time to see visit places like: Porters Creek Trail, Alum Cave Trail, Deepcreek, Big Creek, Cataloochee Valley, Hen Wallow Falls and Flat Creek Trail. Many of our Top 10 Family Friendly hiking trails are included in this elevation as well, along with our favorite trails in the Smokies. Included in this elevation are the Boone and Blowing Rock areas.
October 12 - 21: Peak time for lower elevations. This would include places like: Pisgah National Forest which includes Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls, Dill Falls, Wildcat Falls, and many other waterfalls. Other ares include Linville Gorge and Nantahala Gorge.
October 18 - 26: Peak time for elevations below 2,000 feet. This would include: The cities of Asheville, Brevard, Waynesville, Cherokee, Maggie Valley and many others. Places of interest include Dupont State Forest and Biltmore Estate.
October 23 - November 3: Peak time for remaining elevations, including Gatlinburg, TN, Chimney Rock NC, Lake Lure and remaining lower elevation mountains.

Photo courtesy Explore Asheviille