Fall in Virginia is synonymous with scenic drives and hikes through stunning foliage. And leaf-peepers won’t have to wait long. Virginia will hit peak fall foliage in mid-October, around October 13 to 20, according to SmokyMountains.com’s annual fall foliage prediction.
In NoVA, the region will hit near-peak by around October 13. From October 20 to 27, the leaves will be at their most vibrant, making for the best viewing. And after October 27, they will be past their peak.
You can move the slider on the interactive map to see how the leaves will change throughout the country.
This annual prediction uses factors like historic temperature and precipitation, forecast temperature and precipitation, type of tree, and user data.
“The backbone of the map is meteorology — temperature, moisture, sunlight and precipitation,” SmokyMountains.com said in a release. “While meteorology is most accurate immediately before an event, a forecast is more useful to travelers and end users when made in advance. With our unique blend of historical and forecast data, we are able to make a highly accurate prediction by the end of August.”
The forecast also predicts that cooler-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation in the Northeast and Appalachian regions will contribute to early peak foliage and especially vibrant leaves.
Mountainous spots, including the Blue Ridge, are predicted to peak more than a week earlier than nearby areas with lower elevation.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
