Leaf peeping may reach its peak this week

This stretch of glorious October weather just doesn't want to end. Today's (Monday's) temperatures started the morning in the low 40s around Mecklenburg county and will top out in the upper 70s this afternoon. Clear and brilliantly blue skies will prevail along with light winds. Both Tuesday's and Wednesday's weather look to be a repeat of these awesome conditions.

This is all thanks to a strong high pressure dome which is dominating conditions over the entire eastern half of the nation. This sprawling feature is blocking tropical systems from invading the mainland U.S. via either the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. At the moment Tropical Storm Oscar (no, not the Grouch!) is battering Cuba with strong winds and flooding rains before taking aim at the Bahamas. That storm will be steered well away from the East Coast by the aforementioned high pressure.

Given these very nice weather conditions many folks will be tempted to check out the developing colors of the fall foliage. This graphic shows the average dates of the peak colors:

For a real time look at where the best colors are head over to the Explore Fall website. 

Happy Monday!