Moods of the sky behind our weather instruments 2021-22

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of weather that seems out of season,

This morning I woke to the sort of colorful clouds I normally only see in the autumn and winter:



You can see that this photo is taken in summertime because the sun is much further to the north than in the other photos I typically take.

Anyone in the southwestern United States knows it has been an unusually active monsoon season.  Normally, monsoonal clouds rarely reach this far north.  However, when they do the great fear in California is dry-lightning.  Fortunately, we have only significant fire complex caused by lightning so far this year.  This latest surge of monsoonal moisture doesn't seem to have started any new fires.  However, there is a much greater vigilance as a result of fires of the past few years.

Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,

As the old saying goes: "time flies when you are having fun."  Alas, under some conditions even when you aren't.  Tomorrow will be the autumn equinox for the northern hemisphere.  You can check on the exact time in your locale at this website:

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20220923T0103&msg=September%20equinox%202022

Autumn means different things in different locations.  Alas, here in California it has become wildfire season.  A while back we had smoke from a fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills blow over our region.  It produced this smoky dawn:



Surprisingly, we have gotten some rain from the remnants of Typhoon Merbok.  However, that rain will soon be evaporated.  Given the uncertainties all we can do is plan as best we can.

May we all make the best of the season as much as circumstances permit.

Edouard