Fall foliage peak coming later to Raleigh area than North Carolina mountains

WRAL reported that the highest elevations in North Carolina's mountains, such as Grandfather Mountain, have already passed peak fall foliage, with vibrant colors visible below 4,500 feet. The peak in these areas usually occurs in mid-to-late October.

Locally around Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, peak fall colors typically arrive later, often in early to mid-November. Areas near the Virginia state line tend to see peak colors in early November, with most of the Raleigh region following in mid-November.

WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels noted that while the mountains are showcasing a sea of yellow, red, and orange, changes in leaf color locally are patchy and could be affected by drought stress throughout the season.

Residents in the Raleigh area may have noticed some leaf drop already, but the full peak of fall colors is still a few weeks away as the color change gradually moves down from higher elevations.

WRAL's Explore Fall resource tracks the progression of fall foliage across the state, showing that while the mountains are past peak, lower elevations including the Raleigh area will reach their peak soon.