Seasonal changes

Sure, sure; I can hear you laughing now. As if California has seasonal changes!

Tomorrow morning fall begins (as noted by Susan earlier today).

For starters, it does get darker earlier and that was how I noticed fall was coming. Despite my mole like existence (preferring low light conditions when possible), I do notice it becoming completely dark as it did early this evening in my office.

We're also now into the real fire season. SoCal had a pretty rough spring and early summer but cool temperatures have kept things in control. Pretty soon the Santa Ana winds will begin and anything is possible. By the way, here's an interesting depiction of the Santa Ana's by local artist Steve Greenberg that was used in last years Star coverage and here too.

Finally, the folks at NOAA have announced the return of El Niño for this fall and winter. The last one in 1997-98 wasn't a big deal, but the season previous to that in 1994-95 was a wild winter. It seemed to rain incessantly from late September into early March. The state desperately needs the water so I'll not make a big deal about the traffic problems this is sure to bring.

So welcome to Fall (or Spring for those of you in the other half of the world) and enjoy whatever changes it might bring you.