How's Tennessee in Nov?

[Clifton]

I flew to TN back in Feb and even if the return flight was stressful I had a blast seeing some snow/rain and the smokies in the low-mid 30's. Only bad thing was Clingman's dome was close til April but I instead hung out at the Newfound Gap memorial.

First time I booked through Priceline with oddball connection flights from TIA but This time I should book through Allegiance Air from Clearwater-St. Pete with a nonstop direct flight to Knoxville and for a lil cheaper along with rental car. I'll find a descently priced hotel at Pigeon Forge separatly since AA doesn't offer it for Knox. Dates are Nov. 5-8th

Do you think TN will still have red leaves in early Nov.? Thx

 

[lemondog]

Hey. Doubtful that the mountains will be at their peak that late. Lower elevations probably will still have something. I think I remember our peak last year (in Nashville) being the week around Halloween, and the mountain areas of East Tennessee are always ahead of us by a couple of weeks. Regardless, you should have a wonderful trip. Weather will be cool but hopefully not downright freezing. That said, I have seen it snow on Halloween so who knows! Have fun!

 

[SmokiesHiker]

Hi there!

Though I may be new here, I am not to leaf season and the Smokies as a whole.

If you stay in the Townsend, Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg Sevierville area of the Smokies on the TN you will be past peak in the 1st 2 weeks of November BUT there is still color - lots of it!

I tried to post a picture of a deer taken in the 2nd week of November 2008 in Cades Cove surrounded by color but I don't have enough posts here yet.

This year I will be doing more color reports so you can track the leaves change on "TheSmokiesBlog"

High elevations peak the 2nd week in October Lower a few weeks later BUT "High Season" rates apply in October and lower "In Season" rate in November. You may get snow in the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains national park then too!

The dark reds and maroons are from hardwoods such as oaks which come late in the leaf season. Sometimes there is color at Thanksgiving but don't count on it!

 

[Katlyn]

We will be there the 1st week of November. First time we have ever been that late in the season and if there is still color that will be great if not there will be plenty to see and do. Look forward to seeing you pics SmokiesHiker, Cades Cove is our favorite place to visit while in the mountains

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I think Nov. 5-8, leaves might be past their peak, but it varies so much from year to year, depending on the weather. I think you can look it up online somewhere - when the leaves are expected to "peak" and where.

I was in Asheville, NC last year in mid-October and the leaves were gorgeous - it was also below freezing at night, which I was NOT prepared for!!! Usually the weather is fairly mild in the valley still (Knoxville).

Have a great trip - that's definitely a good time to go!

Edited to add: Check out this link, http://fall.tnvacation.com/fall-color/weekly-foilage-reports/. That's the leaf report from LAST year, Nov. 6-10, 2008.

 

[tinatark]

As long as it doesn't rain at the end of October, the leaves will still be nice then. It's not FREEZING cold in November (early), usually, but it is cold enough for a medium weight jacket, esp. at night. Most attractions will still be open regular hours then, too.

 

[Buckalew11]

TN is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit!

November is still beautiful. I'm reccomend Townsend if you really want peace and quiet and easy access to the mtns.

 

[SmokiesHiker]

Look forward to seeing you pics SmokiesHiker, Cades Cove is our favorite place to visit while in the mountains

Love the Cove too, but there are so many other great places in the 850 square mile park where you can avoid crows too!

Last 2 years we had major droughts so the staying power of the leaves were poor. This year plenty of water and its already cooled down (72 degrees right now at mid day) so we are expecting better color and longer staying leaves.

We have plenty of sun this week so even though its cool we need some "short days" to really kick into gear.

Top elevations yesterday as showing a few spots of yellows and reds just starting.

ALWAYS a jacket in the Smokies though even in mid winter 50s in the daytime are very common.

Waterparks are already starting to close next week...

 

[Katlyn]

Love the Cove too, but there are so many other great places in the 850 square mile park where you can avoid crows too!

Last 2 years we had major droughts so the staying power of the leaves were poor. This year plenty of water and its already cooled down (72 degrees right now at mid day) so we are expecting better color and longer staying leaves.

We have plenty of sun this week so even though its cool we need some "short days" to really kick into gear.

Top elevations yesterday as showing a few spots of yellows and reds just starting.

ALWAYS a jacket in the Smokies though even in mid winter 50s in the daytime are very common.

Waterparks are already starting to close next week...

Sounds good I can hardly wait until our vacation

 

[crazelion]

It might be cold that week and might me hot as h@ll depending on what type of weather that week. I have known to wear shorts in November. Don't know about the leaves. So I am no help there.

 

[Clifton]

Thanks for tip guys, at least theres still some color on then it's great enough. The 1st trip was great only because I haven't seen snow in 20+ years.

 

[Clifton]

Had to bring this up. I decided to take this week off Sept 25-Oct 3rd and wanted to drive up to TN.

I'm really sad to hear about the massive flood that happened in the metro Atl. GA and surrounding areas. My Prayers go out to everyone up there. I'm leaving sometime Saturday and was hoping around Sunday if I-75 through Atl would be open, if flood receeded enough.

 

[MoonFaerie]

It might be coolish, but not cold, IMO. We rarely need to layer for trick-or treating. Last year, I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops to take the kids, and when we first went out, I was a little hot.

I think we're in for an early fall though. Colors are already changing. By comparison, last year I was searching for the colors in mid-Oct for some fall portrait clients. The leaves didn't really change until late October.

 

[Buckalew11]

Had to bring this up. I decided to take this week off Sept 25-Oct 3rd and wanted to drive up to TN.

I'm really sad to hear about the massive flood that happened in the metro Atl. GA and surrounding areas. My Prayers go out to everyone up there. I'm leaving sometime Saturday and was hoping around Sunday if I-75 through Atl would be open, if flood receeded enough.

We're in for more rain this weekend but next week is supposed to be really nice and cooler. Today it is about 85 and hot and humid!

 

[SmokiesHiker]

Rain expected today and tomorrow here in Gatlinburg and we will be under a flash flood warning until Sunday.

Leaves are changing nicely on upper elevations of the Blue Ridge Parkway - still VERY early.