Trixology

Weather => General Weather Discussion => Topic started by: elagache on September 22, 2018, 10:13:47 PM

Title: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: elagache on September 22, 2018, 10:13:47 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Time flies when you have way too many things to do and so we find ourselves around another change of season.  The Autumnal Equinox will occur Saturday or Sunday depending on your location.  Here is the webpage with all those gory details for the curious:

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20180923T0154&msg=September%20Equinox%202018 (https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20180923T0154&msg=September%20Equinox%202018)

Unfortunately, Autumn comes late to California since there is abundant sunshine.  Only a few trees have started to turn at this point.  Here is an example of a tree that must a be at least a relative of the Chinese Pistachio:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-W5sVGxh/0/0e83195a/XL/Tree%20starting%20to%20change%20color-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-W5sVGxh/A)

This is another tree that loses it leaves early:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-NTW6bKz/0/468fdb1f/XL/Exhausted%20tree%20losing%20its%20leaves-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-NTW6bKz/A)

In fact in August 2015 it was losing its leaves as was reported in this posting:

http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1717.msg16144#msg16144 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1717.msg16144#msg16144)

On the other hand, the Crepe Myrtles are still in bloom:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-Q7thrKk/0/22352e8b/XL/Crepe%20Myrtle%20in%20bloom-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-Q7thrKk/A)

And beyond any cultivated region the earth looks like this:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-pZckv5X/0/5174e91b/XL/Barren%20hillside%20with%20sun%20damaged%20oak%20trees-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-pZckv5X/A)

The dry barren land will remain this way until the rains really come and soak the dried grasses - assuming those rains come at all!

Of course da' trusty wagon will always try to find a way to get get into da' act.  This time though it is a different kind of photo.  Our garage faces due East, so at the equinox the sun rises almost in line with our cars.  That afforded this interesting photo:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette-in-Autumn-2018/i-2bGf9mH/0/12256ef7/X2/Biquette%20in%20sunrise%20light%20around%20equinox-X2.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette-in-Autumn-2018/i-2bGf9mH/A)

It might be a stretch to call it "wagon-henge" but it is a different take on Autumn and classic cars.

Like it or not, Autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere.  Make the best of it!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on September 23, 2018, 03:39:44 AM
The first image looks like a Sumac. Almost a ?weed? tree around here. But it does have nice autumn foliage. ThU32:-)

https://www.thespruce.com/plant-sumac-trees-for-fall-foliage-2130930 (https://www.thespruce.com/plant-sumac-trees-for-fall-foliage-2130930)
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on September 23, 2018, 05:49:27 AM
You can't tell it's fall here by this security camera photo, but this family of mountain lions strolling through the neighbourhood look like they just broke huddle and are planning something big.
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on September 23, 2018, 09:14:16 PM
That explains the metal conduit on the electrical wiring! "Cats" love to chew on wires...  :P
Title: Off to an active fall!! (Re: Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on September 23, 2018, 10:43:53 PM
Dear X-Air, Blick, and WeatherCat users caught up in the changing seasons,

We do seem to be caught up in the changing seasons! 

The first image looks like a Sumac. Almost a ?weed? tree around here. But it does have nice autumn foliage. ThU32:-)

Hmm, I just double-checked and the Chinese Pistache looks more likely.  Here is the Wikipeda article on the Sumac:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac)

Here is the Wikipedia article on the Chinese Pistache:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistacia_chinensis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistacia_chinensis)

The latter looks like a closer match.

You can't tell it's fall here by this security camera photo, but this family of mountain lions strolling through the neighbourhood look like they just broke huddle and are planning something big.

Yipe!  We have wild critters around here and supposedly even the occasional mountain lion but that's quite a crowd to bump into in the middle of the night!  Definitely check your security camera before stepping outside at night!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on September 25, 2018, 06:10:09 PM
The view from my deck, looking east. It's autumn.
Title: Yup the seasons are turning. (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on September 25, 2018, 11:47:08 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

The view from my deck, looking east. It's autumn.

A lovely view!  Thanks for sharing! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/kewlpics.gif) You will easily beat anything I can photograph here in California.  However, the change in just one week has been dramatic.  I'd better start taking my camera around or I'll missing some opportunities.

Is anyone else seeing some Autumn colors and willing to capture some of it on digital "film"? (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/kodak.gif)  These days all you need is a smart phone!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on October 05, 2018, 10:11:40 PM
Autumn looked quite different this morning.
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: wurzelmac on October 05, 2018, 10:39:16 PM
wtf?!?

You really need a snow meter - immediately!

 [computer]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on October 05, 2018, 11:00:47 PM
Quote
You really need a snow meter
I think that's what the white pole is! He probably measures down from the top and subtracts that number from the known(?) length... If he can't see or find the pole, he just goes back inside to warm up!! cmu:-) It's too dangerous to be outside, anyway! [headbang] [cold] [freeze]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on October 05, 2018, 11:01:57 PM
Reinhard:

Please ask that genius son of yours to start making those snow sensors. It would also be every nice if he could fly over and install them for those of us that are too dumb to be able to do it on our own. #jealous
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on October 05, 2018, 11:06:26 PM
I think that's what the white pole is! He probably measures down from the top and subtracts that number from the known(?) length... If he can't see or find the pole, he just goes back inside to warm up!! cmu:-) It's too dangerous to be outside, anyway! [headbang] [cold] [freeze]

Haha. That pole is a high tech way for me to find the lid to my propane tank later in the winter.
Title: Pretty but probably premature (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on October 05, 2018, 11:07:20 PM
Dear Blick, Reinhard, X-Air, and WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Autumn look quite different this morning.

Another beautiful photo, but I suspect that snow won't last.  According to the latest 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center:

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ (http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/)

It is supposed to remain cooler than normal but you are at the very edge of a band of above normal precipitation.  Any sunshine will melt that snow and at least the current prediction is for nothing substantial to replace it any time soon.  The only potential wrinkle is Eastern Pacific Hurricane Sergio.  If it does something unexpected we could be looking at another scenario similar to Hurricane Rosa.  The latest forecast keeps Sergio out to sea through at least next Wednesday.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Pretty but probably premature (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: Blicj11 on October 06, 2018, 07:14:52 PM
Another beautiful photo, but I suspect that snow won't last.  According to the latest 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center:

Right you are. Mostly gone today. But another 4-6 inches of snow forecast locally over the next 2 days. It's not winter yet, but some days look like it.
Title: Might benefit from "inside sliders." (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on October 06, 2018, 10:21:30 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat observers of our interconnected weather,

Right you are. Mostly gone today. But another 4-6 inches of snow forecast locally over the next 2 days. It's not winter yet, but some days look like it.

After I posted that I read our local forecast and wondered if storms that pass to our North and East might nonetheless start bringing precipitation to you.  In the local weather forecaster slang they are called "inside sliders" and pass around a high pressure to our South and East.  When they do they create a pressure gradient that produces dry Northern off-shore winds.  The gusty winds and low humidities make for red flag fire danger.  Eventually the high pressure recedes enough so that the storms actually reach us with rain.  Until then, we are in some of the most dangerous fire weather of the year.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on October 07, 2018, 01:46:01 AM
Normally, when you get precipitation in Orinda, we get it here the next day. But these storms we are experiencing now came up from the southwest and as a result of the lingering Hurricane Rosa.
Title: But of course!! (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on October 07, 2018, 09:42:33 PM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat  ;) logistics experts, . . . . .

Normally, when you get precipitation in Orinda, we get it here the next day.

 [wink] . . . . . But of course!  That's because I ship the rain to you via next day air!! .  . . . .  lol(1)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: An exception to the current trend. (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on October 16, 2018, 11:47:33 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the season's turning,

Northern California fell significantly short of normal rainfall last Winter.  However, the effects of this aren't completely realized until the end of Summer.  Trees "in the wild" suffer from insufficient water and lose their leaves much more quickly - before there is a chance for them to change color.  California has never been known for great Autumn displays but this year is especially bad.  Still, I observed this tree putting on a decent display:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-Nj3Tkrg/0/ce2e3289/XL/Tree%20with%20yellow%20autumn%20leaves-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-Nj3Tkrg/A)

Thus far in Northern California: October days have been hot, the fire threats very real, and Autumn weather remains a promise thus far not delivered.

Such are da' conditions that prevail,
. . . . . .

Edouard
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: bcurry on October 19, 2018, 01:01:36 PM
Hi all,
Just back from driving the Cabot Trail - in northern NS. Great colour, crappy weather - rain, wind and even a snowfall!
Fun challenge for photography!

(http://www.billcurry.ca/blog/images/northriver.jpg)
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on October 19, 2018, 02:18:42 PM
Thanks, Bill!
Beautiful!!!
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on October 19, 2018, 04:32:10 PM
Very nice, Bill. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Thanks Bill!! (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on October 19, 2018, 10:56:05 PM
Dear Bill, X-Air, Blick, and WeatherCat fans of beautiful pictures,

Just back from driving the Cabot Trail - in northern NS. Great colour, crappy weather - rain, wind and even a snowfall!

Sorry for the difficult conditions, but thanks for sharing the beautiful photo!

Fun challenge for photography!

I'm glad you turned the difficulties into a chance for you to flex your photographic "muscles" so to speak!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Dry suburbia Autumn colors . . . (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 05, 2018, 11:02:44 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Alas in Northern California, the trouble is the seasons stubbornly refusing to make that transition from Summer to Autumn.  It is still hot, dry, and dangerous weather for wild fires.  Autumn colors continue to be extremely hard to come by.  This photo is about as good at it gets at the moment:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-V2DNMMW/0/b8b49f72/XL/Autumn%20trees%20in%20sunshine-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-V2DNMMW/A)

Trees without water are losing their leaves very rapidly because of the wind and extremely low humidities.  Trees that still have water are benefiting from a longer than normal growing seasons and are not losing their leaves yet.  The days remain warm and there is still plenty of sunshine.

Such are the paradoxical conditions that are to be found in California these days . . . . . .  and that isn't even considering politics!!  lol(1)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Smoke from the Camp fire in Orinda (Re: Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 09, 2018, 11:06:47 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

As already noted (like a broken record) the problem in California is the stubborn continuation of the dry season.  Finally the off-shore winds caused the wild-fire disaster that everyone had feared.  The so called Camp fire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Fire_(2018)) is several hundred miles from the San Francisco Bay Area, but the smoke is so dense that the sun is greatly obscured.  This morning I captured two different aspects of the current conditions.  Here is a birch tree with most of its leaves gone but a few still shimmering:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-4ckm2Jd/0/fbb7ecd5/XL/Birch%20tree%20under%20hazy%20conditions-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-4ckm2Jd/A)

The poor visibility is obvious in the background.  This picture doesn't capture the hazy as much as the bizarre contrasts of Autumn and Summer in California:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-6gPRb2g/0/fa3f7e75/XL/Trees%20with%20yellow%20foliage%20against%20smoky%20skies-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-6gPRb2g/A)

Even so, the yellows of the foliage are clearly muted in the diminished sunlight. 

Certainly another year of extremes, . . . . . .

Edouard   
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on November 12, 2018, 09:33:40 PM
Those California fires are powerfully destructive. The one in Southern California came within a mile of my brother's house. That is getting personal.
Title: Rain washed foliage. (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 22, 2018, 10:39:19 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

We had a break in the rain so that I could look to see how the Autumn trees were progressing.  I managed to catch two pleasant scenes.  The first has birch trees in the foreground:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-XNNVnhg/0/92eee9c0/XL/Birch%20and%20other%20trees%20in%20Autumn-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-XNNVnhg/A)

The second picture also has a nice contrast between the blue sky and the yellow leaves:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-xvLvShs/0/3d110a5f/XL/Tree%20in%20yellow%20foliage%20against%20blue%20sky-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-xvLvShs/A)

No fancy camera here.  Both photos were taken with a now dated iPhone 6.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrants in the USofA!  :)

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Fall melancholy (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 23, 2018, 10:53:27 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

Sorry to hog, but we have had periods of rain all day and that presented Autumn trees in a very different and more melancholy mood:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-mzM6L2s/0/10f9ed21/XL/Trees%20with%20red%20and%20yellow%20foliage%20in%20the%20drizzle-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-mzM6L2s/A)

Once more captured with my iPhone 6.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on November 23, 2018, 11:03:19 PM
WOW! How did you paint that yellow tree with your iPhone?!
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: Blicj11 on November 25, 2018, 07:53:38 AM
Nice color Edouard. Your California rain has turned into Utah snow. 15 inches in the last 3 days. Keep it coming.
Title: Remember - you're ASKIN' for it! (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 26, 2018, 12:17:11 AM
Dear Blick and WeatherCat drought sufferers,

Your California rain has turned into Utah snow. 15 inches in the last 3 days. Keep it coming.

 [wink] . . . . . Remember, you're askin' for it! . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/rain_happy.gif) . . .  [biggrin]

The Monterey office of the National Weather Service has a new "code:" AR.  Of course AR stands for Atmospheric River!  I'm not sure what the big idea is, but it does appear we have arrived at "Atmospheric River Season."  Clearly something new has been added to the West Coast climate and will just have to ride out whatever the weather throws at us.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: They don't call it Fall for nuthin'!! (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 29, 2018, 11:10:23 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

We had a very powerful storm blow through last night into today.  The barometric pressure of 29.41 inch Hg (996 millibars) was the lowest every recorded at Canebas weather station for the month of November during the 9 years of station operation.  It was also the lowest pressure thus far observed in 2018.  We have picked up thus far 2.20" of rain (56mm) and the rain continues to fall.

Something else is finally falling after an usually long season of trees with leaves.  I spotted the same tree I photographed on this post:

 http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2829.msg27902#msg27902 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2829.msg27902#msg27902)

However this photo is facing East instead of West and the effect is obviously different . . . .

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-DshckLQ/0/774f651c/XL/Yellow%20carpet%20of%20fallen%20leaves-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-DshckLQ/A)

After all, they don't call it Fall for nothing!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018
Post by: xairbusdriver on November 30, 2018, 04:43:07 PM
Is that, perhaps a "Ginko"?
Title: Doin' some raking as well - huh? (Re: Welcome to Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on November 30, 2018, 10:23:37 PM
Dear X-Air, and WeatherCat "property handymen,"

Is that, perhaps a "Ginko"?

Yes, that would be my guess as well.  Yes, we also have one on our property and yes, I just finished raking up the latest round of "yellow carpet."  ::)  More rain is expected tomorrow so my rake will continue to have plenty of "customers" . . . . . .

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: California in transition (Re: Autumn 2018)
Post by: elagache on December 12, 2018, 11:11:11 PM
Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

For the vast majority of the country and the Northern Hemisphere winter has the land in its icy grip.  However, in coastal Northern California that isn't how things work out.  Today I spotted this odd collection of contrasts and managed to photograph it:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-ZHWPx2X/0/3c6dabab/XL/Autumn%20leaves%2C%20winter%20stalks%2C%20spring%20grass-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Nature/Wild-Flowers/Scenes-of-Autumn-2018/i-ZHWPx2X/A)

The wild trees at the bottom of the scene are very late indeed in their leaves changing color.  Just above you'll see the silvery grey of the old grass stalks that are starting to decompose.  The rains have gotten the bacteria going and the sunshine is allowing them to maintain their metabolism.  Above the decomposing stalks is largely bare ground.  The rains were enough to get the grass seeds to spout and the sun is allowing the shoots to grow.  So in one scene you have the leaves of Autumn, the decomposing grass of Winter, and the new shoots of Spring.   It is one of the wonders of California that goes unnoticed by the vast majority of residents.

Enjoy!

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]