Virginia
Nature|Weather & Natural Phenomena

2020’s Fall Colors Could Be The Best Virginia Has Seen In Years

Virginia's 2020 fall foliage is expected to be the best in years due to ideal weather conditions.

Published Oct 10, 2020

Written by 

Beth

If you've lived in Virginia long enough, you've surely experienced the magic of fall firsthand. You likely also understand that no two autumn seasons are the same. Some yield spectacular fall colors while others aren't quite as memorable in terms of foliage. If you're wondering about the 2020 fall foliage report for Virginia, we've got some great news to share. According to MSN, the foliage this year could be the best Virginia has seen in years.

advertisement

As you may recall, the fall of 2019 was a bit lackluster in the foliage department. This was largely due to a hot summer that seemed to extend well into the fall season.

alt
daveynin / flickr

Luckily for us Virginians, there's no such thing as a bad year for fall foliage. Even in relatively "dull" color seasons, we're blessed with an abundance of seasonal beauty.

alt
Dave / flickr

Even so, we're thrilled by the news that the fall of 2020 might just be "one of the best seasons in years," according to Dr. John Seiler who is the Professor of Tree Biology at Virginia Tech.

alt
m01229 / flickr

The brightness of each year's fall foliage depends on a number of factors: temperatures at night, the amount of daylight, weather extremes, and overall tree health.

alt
Dave / flickr

According to the experts, ideal conditions for brilliant foliage include cool but not freezing temperatures (which favor anthocyanin formation), plenty of sunshine paired with cooler evenings, and finally, a lack of strong winds and heavy rains (which can cause leaves to brown or fall prematurely).

alt
Judy Gallagher / flickr

Of course, last-minute weather events could still impact colors, but we're on the right track for a truly memorable season.

alt
daveynin / flickr

This year's peak dates are October 10th - 24th in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge portion, October 24th - 31st in the middle part of the state, and October 31st - November 7th in eastern and coastal Virginia.

alt
Virginia State Parks / flickr

What are your thoughts on this 2020 fall foliage report for Virginia? Are you looking forward to exploring all that the season has to offer? For a little inspiration, be sure to check out this list of the most beautiful fall destinations in Virginia.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Weather & Natural Phenomena

A Winter Getaway To Virginia’s Snowiest Region Is Nothing Short Of Magical

Tazewell County in Virginia is the snowiest region in the state, offering a winter wonderland with various outdoor activities.

Updated Jan 18, 2024

Written by 

Beth

Virginia isn’t exactly the snowiest state in the U.S. However, the Old Dominion has seen its fair share of snow and has even been part of a handful of blizzards over the years. When it does snow here, it’s always a special occasion. If you are hoping to see snow in Virginia, you’ll want to plan a trip to the southwestern mountains — particularly, Tazewell County, where you’ll find the coldest towns in Virginia. As the snowiest region in the state, this special corner knows how to celebrate all things cold-weather-related..

advertisement

Welcome to Tazewell County! Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Virginia amid the Appalachian Mountains, this destination is worthy of a day trip year-round.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

Of course, winter brings its own unique charms to the region, which happens to be among the snowiest areas in the state.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

In 1990, the Nature Conservancy declared the Clinch River Basin to be among the 20 "last great places in the world," and that title still rings true today.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

Tazewell County is synonymous with outdoor adventure. From iconic hikes to ATV trails, mountain biking, fishing, climbing, and more, there's no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in the scenery.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

If you visit during the colder months, there's a very good chance you'll see some snow. On average, Tazewell County sees about 35 inches of snow per year.

advertisement
alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

Tazewell County is about 2,300 feet above sea level, and its proximity to the mountains gives it a true winter wonderland energy.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

So if you don't mind bundling up before you embark on an outdoor adventure, you'll find a lot to love about this snowy region of Virginia.

alt
Visit Tazewell County / Facebook

Check out this YouTube video by AHHA Productions with some pretty scenes from Virginia winters. Many of these towns are truly magical!

https://youtu.be/CYm7AAwuam4?si=Hdm6XAz0VqWx60BK

Have you ever visited Tazewell? What did you think of the snowiest region in Virginia? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! For related content, check out our list of incredible winter destinations in Virginia.

Curious about what to pack on your winter vacation in VA? We've got you covered... literally!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Weather & Natural Phenomena

Here Are The Best Times And Places To View Virginia’s Fall Foliage In 2023

Virginia's fall foliage peaks in early to mid-October, with the best viewing times varying by region.

Published Aug 31, 2023

Written by 

Beth

Ah, fall in Virginia. Is there any season more charming? The crisp air, the promise of cooler weather -- after all of that humidity -- and festive activities galore. If you're anything like us, you've probably been wondering, "When do leaves change color in Virginia?" The answer changes from year to year, but fortunately, we've got the Virginia fall foliage map for 2023, an in-depth guide for leaf-peeping in the Old Dominion.

advertisement

Here in the U.S., the fall season seems to unofficially begin after Labor Day, with the start of school and the arrival of September. By the week of September 11th, the Northeast will begin to see the faintest beginnings of color.

alt
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Here in Virginia, however, we won't see much color change until September 18th, when those first signs of fall foliage will appear in the mountains.

alt
Kirkikis / Getty Images

The real change is forecasted for early October. In fact, the week of October 2nd and October 9th should be the absolute best for leaf peeping in the Virginia mountains and Shenandoah Valley.

alt
krblokhin / Getty Images

By October 16th, the entire state should be alive with color, even the southeastern portion, which is the last to experience fall foliage in Virginia.

alt
Douglass Rissing / Getty Images

Central areas such as Richmond will see their peak fall foliage around the week of October 23rd.

advertisement
alt
halbergman / Getty Images

So when will the leaves be past their peak? Likely the show will conclude by November 6th, with signs of winter well on their way.

alt
Dennis Govani / Getty Images

With these dates in mind, we hope you can begin to plan some incredible fall activities in Virginia this year!

alt
Konstantin Iagoudine / 500px / Getty Images

We hope this article helped answer your question: "When do leaves change color in Virginia?" What are some of your favorite places to see the fall foliage in Virginia? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you!

Need some fall gear? Check out these ultra-light jackets from REI -- they're perfect for this cozy fall weather.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in Rhode Island That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

by Beth Price-Williams
on Aug 31
alt
Food
Restaurants

The Panoramic-View Restaurant on Top of the Omni Hotel in Connecticut Is a Must-Visit

by Lisa Sammons
on Aug 31
alt
Food

The Unique Restaurant In New York Where Every Order Comes With A Free Plate Of Fried Dough

by Raymond Goldfield
on Aug 31
alt
Experiences
Activities

We Can’t Get Enough of This Small Town New Jersey Farm With Apple Picking and a Pumpkin Patch

by Raymond Goldfield
on Aug 31
alt
Stays
Vacation Rentals

Experience Luxury And Off-The-Grid Living At This Modern Home In Taos, New Mexico

by Melissa Mahoney
on Aug 30
alt