Forecast: fall foliage weeks away from peaking in Chattanooga area

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday is the first full day of fall.
Even if it hasn’t completely felt like it in recent weeks, we will soon see leaves changing across the Tennessee Valley.

It won’t be an immediate change, but climatology experts with the Tennessee Climate Office at East Tennessee State University say beginning in early October, you’ll begin to see a change in the highest elevations of our area.

Throughout the month of October colors will eventually begin to descend down to valleys by Halloween, with peak colors in the Chattanooga area in early to mid November.

Wil Tollefson, Tennessee’s assistant state climatologist, says that ongoing hot and dry weather could impact the annual show.

He said, “Overall, Chattanooga has been pretty good on drought this year, but this dry period over the past few weeks combined with the high temperatures has probably put some stress on the trees, so that might dull some of the colors, you may see some leaves turn brown and drop a little bit early. But, I think we are expecting some rain, so that should reduce that stress, so hopefully you can still get a good color season in.”

He says that fall lovers can keep track of the latest foliage conditions across the region here.