Vivid Colors of Fall Foliage Soon to Peak in Va.

March 31, 2005 - 6:50am

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) - Leaf-peepers won't have to wait much longer to see vivid fall colors throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Forecasters say leaves have changed colors in higher elevations, such as Skyline Drive. Lower Valley leaves are expected to peak soon, thanks to cooler temperatures at night.

Shenandoah National Park spokeswoman Julena Campbell says they're seeing a full array of colors there, with red maples and yellow leaves.

Campbell estimates that 50 percent of the leaves have changed, and says peak color is general between the second and third week of October.

She says colors are more vibrant this year than last year, when Hurricane Isabel came and blew most of the leaves off the trees before they could change colors.

Campbell says the foliage has helped bring tourism at the park back to normal.

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) - Leaf-peepers won't have to wait much longer to see vivid fall colors throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Forecasters say leaves have changed colors in higher elevations, such as Skyline Drive. Lower Valley leaves are expected to peak soon, thanks to cooler temperatures at night.

Shenandoah National Park spokeswoman Julena Campbell says they're seeing a full array of colors there, with red maples and yellow leaves.

Campbell estimates that 50 percent of the leaves have changed, and says peak color is general between the second and third week of October.

She says colors are more vibrant this year than last year, when Hurricane Isabel came and blew most of the leaves off the trees before they could change colors.

Campbell says the foliage has helped bring tourism at the park back to normal.

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