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This Week Looks Like Peak Leaf Season, Weekend, Too, If Leaves Remain on Trees

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The peaks of Grandfather Mountain in the fall on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Ken Ketchie

By Jesse Wood

The “Fall Color Guy,” in his latest update, is saying that this week is the peak of leaf season in the High Country, and the upcoming weekend will be the peak weekend, too, “if the rain isn’t too severe.”

“However, RaysWeather says rain will move in late Thursday, and on Friday, accompanied by high winds (maybe up to 40 mph!). That’s not good news, as the combination of rain and wind could bring down leaves now that many are at peak color,” Howard Neufeld, an ASU biology professor, posted on Wednesday.

He noted RaysWeather.com’s forecast for Saturday and Sunday, which should provide plenty of sunshine for pleasant leaf viewing in the High Country. Although it will be relatively chilly or about 20 degrees cooler than it is today.

On Wednesday, the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation released its Wednesday fall color update and photo with the following caption (see photo at bottom of post):

“Vibrant oranges, yellows and golds lead the way to Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to experts, warm temperatures this week could slow down leaf color development, potentially prolonging peak color through the weekend. ”

On Wednesday afternoon, the “Fall Color Guy,” aka ASU biology professor Howard Neufeld, posted on Facebook, “This coming weekend, if the rain isn’t too severe, will be the peak weekend.”

For the latest in fall color, follow the Fall Color Guy here. 

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Vibrant oranges, yellows and golds lead the way to Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to experts, warm temperatures this week could slow down leaf color development, potentially prolonging peak color through the weekend. To see more fall color photos, visit Grandfather Mountain’s 2016 Fall Color Gallery at www.grandfather.com. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation