(CULLOWHEE) -- If you are taking a road trip to some leaf peeping later this fall, you may have to plan your trip more carefully this year. Experts say the display of fall colors will be spotty in the North Carolina mountains.

Western Carolina University biology professor Kathy Mathews said the next few weeks will be important in determining how bright the colors will be. "This summer has been pretty plentiful rainfall, which people say is good for the trees, it keeps them healthy, keeps them holding on to their leaves longer but what we really want is to know how much rain is coming in September," said Mathews.

Vivid hues or color are associated with drier weather, but there will be some scenic areas for leaf-peeping.  She said some of the best colors will be on mountain ridges and slopes. As part of Mathews' annual fall color predictions she said areas that should display good color include Grandfather Mountain, Graveyard Fields, and areas around Sylva and Franklin. The second and third weeks of October should be the best time to catch them.