September 17, 2003

The big story is not the foliage, but rather Hurricane Isabel. Much of the region is bracing for Isabel, expected to make landfall somewhere along the North Carolina or Virginia coast. The storm will bring with it torrential rains and very strong winds. The Foliage Network has received many inquiries as to how the hurricane will affect the foliage season. While the answer to that question is still a mystery, hope lies in the fact that most of the leaves are still green and more likely to survive the heavy winds. Of course, there will be a number of downed trees and limbs, but hopefully that will be isolated to the coastal areas. Isabel should weaken as it encounters cooler waters near the shoreline, and will certainly diminish once land is reached.

If you have not yet made your leaf-peeping travel plans, now is the time! Check out our Places to Stay and Foliage Spotters sections to find great accommodations!

This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. The next report will be released on Saturday, September 20, 2003.

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