CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sorry, fall lovers. Normally this time of year, people are flocking to the mountains of the Carolinas to see the beautiful fall foliage.
But we're almost two weeks into the fall season and the color explosion we've come to know and love in this part of the world is lagging behind. So what gives? Well, for one, the heat. With 28 of September's 30 days coming in at above average temperatures, the potential for a spectacular leaf season is almost down the tubes. In fact, the mountains experienced record average temperatures last month, shattering the old average high by nine degrees.
First Warn meteorologist Chris Mulcahy is an optimist but the hot start to fall has tempered expectations.
"It's not looking to be the best leaf season we've ever seen," Mulcahy said. "We've been way too hot. We need cool nights and we need to dry out. It's been far too wet."
If conditions were normal, we'd be close to seeing peak color in the mountains but as of Thursday, Grandfather Mountain is showing just some brown and yellow leaves. But not many, and certainly no beautiful orange and robust reds in the color.
"There will be a season, it just won't be as spectacular as normal," Mulcahy said.
Typical average peak for fall color
Grandfather Mountain: October 1-10
Blue Ridge Parkway: October 10-20
Boone: October 10-20
Blowing Rock: October 10-20
Asheville: October 24-31
The start of the peak color will likely be delayed by at least a week. And Mulcahy says cool nights aren't in the forecast, so it could be November before some areas see peak color.
