1000 x 90

Fall Color Speeds Up in the High Country

101316_gfm_stack_rock_bridge_ss
Fall color is speeding up along the Blue Ridge Parkway, illustrated by some bright reds, yellows and oranges at the Stack Rock Bridge. According to Dr. Howard Neufeld, “Fall Color Guy” and professor of biology at Appalachian State University, cool mornings, moderate daytime temperatures and abundant sunshine have accelerated leaf color development in the High Country. In fact, since last weekend, hillsides in the 3,000 to 4,500 elevation range have seen a 30 percent increase in fall color, Neufeld said. For more fall color photos, visit Grandfather Mountain’s 2016 Fall Color Gallery at www.grandfather.com. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

By Jesse Wood

The fall leaf color is picking up in the High Country, App State biology professor Howard Neufeld, aka the “Fall Color Guy,” has observed.

“From last weekend, when I estimated the hills were just 15-20% colored up they have now advanced, at least in the 3,000′ to 4,500′ elevation range, to 50% or more now. So, this weekend will be good, as will the week following, and the weekend after this one,” Neufeld posted on Facebook this morning.

Neufled said that the cool mornings and abundance of sunshine has sped up the development of color as he predicted in earlier weekly reports.

“Whether the red colors will be as intense is still a matter of debate. Some areas have good color, but many are duller this year, most likely due to the drought and high temperatures,” Neufeld wrote.

Follow Neufeld on Facebook here for regular updates.

Here is the latest caption from Grandfather Mountain’s daily leaf color photo update:

“Fall color is speeding up along the Blue Ridge Parkway, illustrated by some bright reds, yellows and oranges at the Stack Rock Bridge. According to Dr. Howard Neufeld, “Fall Color Guy” and professor of biology at Appalachian State University, cool mornings, moderate daytime temperatures and abundant sunshine have accelerated leaf color development in the High Country. In fact, since last weekend, hillsides in the 3,000 to 4,500 elevation range have seen a 30 percent increase in fall color, Neufeld said. For more fall color photos, visit Grandfather Mountain’s 2016 Fall Color Gallery at www.grandfather.com.”