Foliage forecast: Expert expects above-average display of colors this autumn » Knoxville News Sentinel.In Gatlinburg, elevation 1,289 feet, the leaves usually hit full color by the end of October or early November. In some areas, species like tulip poplar, dogwood and sourwood trees already have changed.
In the mountains above 3,500 feet, the leaf change usually hits full stride around mid-October.
Kathy Gould Mathews said what’s needed now is a little rain to keep the leaves on the trees, and enough sunshine to bring out the vibrant reds that make for a memorable leaf season.”Now that the weather has finally cooled off, things should start moving along,” she said.
About 1.2 million people flock to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every October, with more than 50 percent of those visits coming during the last two weeks of the month as the colors peak.
In Gatlinburg, the turning of the leaves makes October the town’s most lucrative month for tourism next to July.
According to the article, the weather this summer was almost perfect for producing a great autumn color season.
I know I plan to get into the mountains to enjoy the view…How about you?