Weather impacts North Carolina leaf watching

It is the time of year when the leaves begin turning a vibrant red and yellow. People from all over the country make their way to the mountains of North Carolina to see a colorful vista. However, this year the wind and the rain have been a factor, knocking off some of the most colorful leaves in the trees of the high country.

Dr. Howard Neufeld is a professor of Biology at Appalachian State University. He says it is mostly the higher elevation trees that have been affected.

"I would say maybe 20 percent of the leaves came down on the trees that had already started turning. Those are mostly birches and the tulip poppers which are the yellow trees," he explained.

Neufeld says areas in the lower elevations, like Boone and Blowing Rock may actually benefit from the rain.

"There is still a lot of green out there on the hills, so I think there is still the potential for a lot of color change," he said. "I think we escaped it by having the storm come early enough, and now we have this nice, cool, sunny weather. That is the perfect condition to bring out some of those reds."

Neufeld predicts the next two weekends will be great for leaf watchers in and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

It may take a few weeks for the lower elevations to show peak color.

For more information on Dr. Neufeld or to receive weekly reports, visit his facebook page here.