Archive for the ‘kathy mathews’ Category

Fall Color Predictions for Western North Carolina

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
As she has for the last several years, Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, has issued her predictions today on what the fall leaf season could look like this year.

Compared to last year, the news is much better. Ms. Mathews is predicting that visitors to the mountains of Western North Carolina can look forward to a vibrant display of color this fall.

“I predict this fall color change will be variable throughout the Southern mountains, but on the whole we should expect to see rich and attractive color change this season.,” she is quoted as saying in WCUs the Reporter.

“It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with above-average temperatures this summer. Rainfall has been slightly less than average during the spring and summer. These are two factors I look at when thinking about the timing and quality of fall leaf color change in the mountains,” she said.

Mathews also said that peak colors may arrive a bit later than normal this year as a result of the warm temperatures over the summer. She told the Reporter that she doesn't expect peak to arrive until perhaps the end of October - about a week or so later than normal.

You can read the full article by clicking here.


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins

Posted in Fall Color Predictions, kathy mathews, mountains, western north carolina | Comments Off

Fall Color Update for the Southern Appalachians

Friday, October 9th, 2009
Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University told the Franklin Press that it appears the rainy September may have a negative impact on leaf color this fall.

"That doesn't mean that there won't be any fall color," Mathews said. "There definitely will be and I've already seen some trees change a little bit. But it may not be as bright as we're used to seeing."

However, Mathews does think that we'll have more time to observe the fall foliage this year. One positive effect of the wet weather is that trees tend to hold onto their leaves instead of dropping them early as they do in drought years - as in the last two years.

The Press put together a good article which goes into a little bit of the detail on how leaves turn different colors in the fall.

The article also stated that the last two weeks in October are usually the best time to view fall colors in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.

As far as the Great Smokies are concerned, Steve Kemp over at the Great Smoky Mountain Association updated his Fall Leaf Color Report again today. He's reporting that fall colors are now coming on strong at the highest elevations in the park. He also said that fall colors are popping up all over in the valleys as well.

His report states that the next two weeks should be an excellent time to hike at the western end of the park at places in the vicinity of Cades Cove and Tremont (Rich Mountain Loop, School House Gap, Middle Prong, or Abrams Falls trails) where sourwoods, blackgums, and dogwoods are numerous. Higher elevation hikes such as the Appalachian Trail, Thomas Divide, Flat Creek, and Road Prong should also be extremely pleasant this week.


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins Have a fall trip planned for the Smokies? Be sure to check out our cabin and chalet listings!

Posted in Fall Leaf Color Report, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smokies, Steve Kemp, autumn, kathy mathews, southern appalachians | Comments Off