COLOR COMING—Tinges of reds and golds are beginning to show on the trees at this farm on Mahogany Rock Road. The peak of autumn color is expected to be in two to three weeks.

Leaves begin to show colors

Those who come to the area looking for colorful leaves this fall have a better chance of finding them in the higher elevations as compared to years past, according to a professor at Appachian State University. Gary Walker, a biology professor at ASU in Boone, commented so far, the leaf color forecast is "better than average — at least better than what we've had in the previous 10 years." He noted this is attributed to a wet spring and summer, followed by a dry fall. "Clear cool days, those are all the conditions you need."

The length of this year's season of fall color is dependent on what happens in the next couple of weeks, according to Walker.

Although the leaves have already begun to change colors, he noted the peak viewing time here in the county is likely to be the second or third week in October, with the Boone area expecting to have their peak viewing time about a week prior. Better color is expected to be found in higher elevations (anything above 3,000 feet) as well as along streams and coves.

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