eyewall

4 hours ago, Buckethead said:

This is the first year I've caught the leaf change at Linn Cove even though I've been in WNC for 5 years. I can't believe I've been putting that off.

Just WOW.

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Very nice! I plan on going back Wednesday and I hope that isn't too late there for the absolute peak.

My favorite shot from the other day (click to see the full color version as this site dulls images):

1 minute ago, Moonhowl said:

Fantastic video!

Thank you! I just hope this weekend doesn't cause too much leaf drop in that area. I was planning on returning on Wed.

It is looking good down here in NC! Some vibrant colors are starting to pop near the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 4000-5000ft elevation range. I shot this below the summit area of Grandfather Mountain (summit elevation there is 5,900ft). It is getting to fruity pebble phase in spots and peak is probably within a week there. I will go back one more time to try and catch that then follow it out of the mountains into the Piedmont over the next few weeks. Unlike the last two years, the weather has been great for it. I do miss VT foliage but I am glad we have this:

Here is the video. I did make some minor adjustments to match real world conditions (cameras naturally dull images/vids a bit).
 

21 minutes ago, Buckethead said:

Nice shots man!  Think I'm heading up there tomorrow.

Thank you and yeah it is really popping there in spots. It is amazing how much it varies in short distances. Here are the flickr versions (If you click them they will appear as they should)

I am busy today with Delta so I will post some stills first. Again these were taken on October 7th, 2020 near Grandfather Mountain (note: I am not sure why this site dulls the color in my images):

I returned to my favorite spot near Grandfather Mountain yesterday and very vibrant colors are starting to appear in places just above the parkway. It is amazing how variable it is over short distances, but it is coming along very nicely. I took some drone shots which are coming soon and video this time which I am uploading now (without any color enhancement). I think peak will occur within a week around Linn Cove. The Banner Elk area was starting to turn nicely as well.

A couple of more from Roan Mountain

Thank you all and yeah Delta could present a real problem. Just our luck that it is finally a good year and that would happen.

One more for now (still a few to go through):
 

The first shot is the Roan Mountain area and the other 3 are from Grandfather Mountain on 10/3:

Grandfather had some patches of color above the parkway and roan mountain had the lower end of moderate color higher up. Definitely still has a ways to go to get real picture worthy. I will be making a few more trips as I can 

17 hours ago, Buckethead said:

We're getting there above 4000'. Just took this.

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It doesn't have to be peak to be beautiful as this pic shows. Sometimes I like the patchwork even better depending on the scene. Either way I am sure I will be making a second trip after tomorrow as well.

3 hours ago, BlueRidgeFolklore said:

Maples and poplars are turning by the day.

Thank you. I am trying to determine if it is worth stopping by the Grandfather Mountain area this weekend.

How are the leaves looking? It should be moving pretty quick now with this weather.

17 hours ago, backedgeapproaching said:

Cancel those Columbus Day weekend reservations, looks like you guys are on the back end of peak heading down quickly to stick season.

Hahaha that is for sure.  The NC High Country should see a rapid acceleration of color into this weekend when I am going up for my first look down here. I expect an early peak in our mountains as well.

I have to look and see how often it has snowed at the end of September at the summits.

COVID restrictions in the Northeast prevented me from visiting for this. Thank you for the shots though. It looks like fall will be early weatherwise here  as well and I am hoping the NC High Country puts on a show soon after delayed and dull foliage the previous two years. There are already signs it could go early. Some of the summits exceed 6K feet here so a wide variety of climate zones.

49 minutes ago, Met1985 said:

Yep this year is going to be early especially from the past recent years. Some have already seen some patchy frost and this weekend will accelerate the foliage change with it being downright cold. Temps keep creeping down this weekend and I suspect some frost advisories will be hoisted up and maybe some freeze watches also 

Yeah the last two years were pretty bad so hopefully this is a good one.

How is the foliage looking in the mountains? Any sign it is going early this year?

We definitely busted low in Raleigh but I expected that.

This is sure to cause some confusion for those following 22

This is definitely not needed.

Some shots of the big outer rain band that approached Raleigh around 5:30pm on 8/3: