It All Begins at 1:02 p.m. Today
Autumn begins throughout California at 1:02 p.m.
That’s when the autumnal equinox occurs, starting a new astronomical season. At that moment, the sun’s rays are almost equally divided between the northern and southern hemisphere.
Thereafter and continuing to the winter solstice on Dec. 21, days get shorter and colder, as the amount of sunlight reaching the northern hemisphere declines.
Less light results in less chlorophyll being produced in deciduous plants. As the green chlorophyl subsides underlying brown, red, orange and yellow colors are seen. Colder temperatures also intensify red, orange and yellow colors. Though, eventually, the leaves weaken and fall.
Autumn is the only season with two names: Autumn and Fall. It gets the latter from those falling leaves.
Many believe California’s best weather occurs in autumn. Days remain clement, but nights are cooler. There’s a crispness in the air, but also a soothing envelopment that almost feels as if you’re being embraced by the season.
Why is it that there is such celebration when pumpkin-spiced lattes return to cafe menus in autumn? Is it their taste, or the recollections of this gathering season that they inspire?
Autumn is the season of harvest, reunion, tailgating, wine making, costume parties, sweaters and thanksgiving. Though it would not be what it is, without Fall.
Over the past couple of days, snow has fallen in the High Sierra. Several of you have asked what effect the early snow might have on autumn color. The answer is: “Little to No Effect.”
Snow usually only damages the change of color on leaves that have turned color or have nearly turned color. Leaves that are vibrant and still producing chlorophyl shake off a little snow with no effect on the color. However, were the same to occur at an elevation that was near peak to peak, leaves in the process of turning would either be spotted or blown from their branches.
Rock Creek Canyon (9/22/17) Will Ridgeway
Rock Creek Canyon (9/22/17) Will Ridgeway
Will Ridgeway took these photographs near Rock Creek Pack Station yesterday morning.
He writes that “The snow on green Aspen leaves makes it look like we’re going straight from Summer to Winter, though that’s temporary.
“That said, there was a good amount of colour above Lake Sabrina this morning, roughly equal parts green, yellow and orange depending on the location of each grove.” he describes.
Lake Sabrina – Near Peak (75-100%) – Will Ridgeway rates the upper groves high above Sabrina Lake near 10,000′ in elevation as nearing peak. GO NOW!
Sagehen Meadow, Mono County (9/22/17) Bruce Wendler
Sagehen Meadow, Mono County – Patchy (10-50%) – Color spotter Bruce Wendler found “the first fire of autumn” lighting the hills around Sagehen Meadow, south of Mono Lake. Frigid temperatures are stimulating vibrant color change in high areas of Mono County.
Unidentified exotic tree, Downtown LA near Fig Plaza (9/21/17) Mohammad Delwar
Los Angeles – Just Starting (0-10%) – Often what appears to be autumnal change is not exactly the same thing. Del Hossain saw this blooming tree in downtown Los Angeles yesterday and had the presence of mind to photograph it and ask if it might be fall color.
This is one of the myriad of non-native (or exotic) trees that have been planted in our urban forests. It has a flower or seed pod (similar to a Bougainvillea bloom) that Del described as “a splash of pinks, reds,or orangish”.
What is most important is that Del turned a break while working in the heart of Los Angeles (Downtown Magnets High School – Go Suns!) into an inspirational fall color sojourn. Fall color creds to anyone who can identify the tree, and to Del for sharing.
Reading your article, made me curious why isn’t “North Lake” rated as “Near Peak”? Aren’t Lake Sabrina and North Lake similar elevation, if not higher? I wonder
The area identified as “Near Peak” was only the highest areas above Sabrina Lake near 10,000′, not lake level at Sabrina Lake. Both Sabrina Lake and North Lake remain Patchy, but will likely change rapidly in the coming week.
The exotic tree in LA is a Chinese Flame Tree with the flowers turning into pods. They are related to the tomatillo. The one in my front yard has a very nice color this season. Sometimes it’s beige this time it’s the lovely salmon color.
So nice seeing you comment, Kathy. Hope you are able to send us what you’re finding in your area.
Thank you, John. I am hoping to catch some fall color near Ojai this year. Will post some that area for you as well.
Would love to see images from Ojai. Lovely part of California.
This tree is a species of Koelreuteria, in the Sapindaceae, or maple, family. This might be K. paniculata (Chinese flame tree) or K. bipinnata (goldenrain tree). Flowers come earlier in the year, with fruits like lanterns turning color in summer/fall. One could call it “fall color.” They are deciduous trees, K. paniculata hardy to significant cold and producing gold coloration in cold-winter climates.
Jason, Thank You! You’ve just become a go-to guy for identifying exotics. A previous reply identified it as Chinese Flame Tree in the tomatillo family, but you added more to our knowledge. This site uses a pretty loose definition of “fall color,” even including migratory birds, sea life, insects and animal mating rituals (except what happens in our cities – though maybe we should rethink that) within the term. So, a tree that flowers in autumn is, indeed, fall color.