A PARTING OF THE SEASONS
In the mid-west and east people will begin looking for hints of color in the maples, sycamores, oaks, hickories, and other deciduous trees, now that we are getting deep into September.
Out west we spot the color in the aspen, oak and madrone trees, especially in the Sierra. As a former mid westerner one calculates the connection between color in leaves to leaves on the ground and then the arrival of snow. While we hope for a lot of snow in the Sierra, that part of the equation-snow-changes when you get to the coast. In fact autumn may well be THE season here on the central coast.
We still have blooms, the sky is blue, the temperatures are moderate to warm and it stays that way. The only variance are those few days when rain allows for more blooms and a renewing greening. Nominally the rainy season, October through March, means a lot less rain than elsewhere. 24 to 26 inches is a good normal year. Spread that over a 5 to 6 month span and you see rain is a precious and indeed a somewhat rare resource.
So, for now, more color from those things that don't require much water. And we'll be on the look out for color in the leaves and reports of the first snow, high in the mountains or back east.
Out west we spot the color in the aspen, oak and madrone trees, especially in the Sierra. As a former mid westerner one calculates the connection between color in leaves to leaves on the ground and then the arrival of snow. While we hope for a lot of snow in the Sierra, that part of the equation-snow-changes when you get to the coast. In fact autumn may well be THE season here on the central coast.
We still have blooms, the sky is blue, the temperatures are moderate to warm and it stays that way. The only variance are those few days when rain allows for more blooms and a renewing greening. Nominally the rainy season, October through March, means a lot less rain than elsewhere. 24 to 26 inches is a good normal year. Spread that over a 5 to 6 month span and you see rain is a precious and indeed a somewhat rare resource.
So, for now, more color from those things that don't require much water. And we'll be on the look out for color in the leaves and reports of the first snow, high in the mountains or back east.
DAY FILE
Tinges of Pink
& other shades
See you down the trail.
You live in paradise!
ReplyDeleteYes, you do. (Until the big one hits! ;^>)
ReplyDeleteI always laughed when the weather guys in Boston would talk about snow in Northern Maine in October. Northern Maine is about 50 miles closer to Boston than Charlotte, NC. I can only remember a few Thanksgivings in Boston that the weather wasn't perfect. Jan and I sailed the weekend before Thanksgiving in t-shirts and shorts most years. Fall is spectacular in New England.
ReplyDeleteI noticed last week night time temps in my home state of ND were in the mid 30's already. Out here on the left coast it's always nice.