Peak Foliage Spreads Across Appalachians and the South

Peak color is now showing across portions of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and the higher elevations of the Appalachians.

High color extends into Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of North Carolina. Farther south, moderate color covers much of the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, according to the same report. Low color reaches the Gulf Coast, while Florida remains mostly green.

Meanwhile, Leaves.com notes that the timing of peak foliage depends heavily on geography. In a typical year, color peaks in late September in far northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Colorado’s high country.

Northern New England and the Adirondacks peak in early October, while southern New England and the high Appalachians peak in mid-October. The Mid-Atlantic, Southern Appalachian valleys, and Ohio Valley typically experience peak colors from late October into early November.

A approaching storm threatens to disrupt the peak viewing window from Virginia and Maryland northward. Rain arrives on Thursday across parts of the region. Colder temperatures and brisk winds will follow and may continue into the weekend, WeatherBug reported.

Leaves.com cautions that while regional forecasts rely on historical models, unusual heat, drought, or an early freeze can alter peak timing. At any individual spot, near-peak color usually lasts about a week to ten days. Across an entire region, the season runs much longer because color moves downhill and south over several weeks.

Most of the Rockies has moved beyond its best color, leaving the Southwest with the last late-season pockets. Most of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and Idaho are now past peak. Peak and high color remain in parts of Arizona and New Mexico, particularly across higher terrain, according to WeatherBug.

Conditions can change dramatically with elevation. Travelers heading toward mountain destinations should check local reports before making the trip.