Early or Late?

There’s a bit of disagreement as to whether fall color is appearing early, on time or late, this autumn.

The Weather Channel predicts peak color will be pushed back a week. In the Sierra Nevada, 2019 has not started early, though it doesn’t show signs of lingering, either.

When we reported the first official fall color report from the Eastern Sierra last week, Tony King asserted on Facebook, “in the Eastern Sierra there is 1 yellow leaf for every 1 Trillion green leaves.” We answered, “Yep. It’s got to start with one.”

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Then, today, longtime Plumas County color spotter Jeff Titcomb sees signs of an early fall with dogwood getting rosy, bigleaf maple yellowy and locust hybrids gilded. Despite Jeff’s rosy prediction, don’t head to Plumas County just yet to see fall color as it is a mid-October peak.

The National Weather Service anticipates warmer than average temperatures through the end of September, a good thing for foliage, but not if the nights stay warm, as well. Fall color is best when nights are cold and days warm and clear.

Last week, the Eastern Sierra had one night below freezing. This week, just about every night is such. Yet, Mono, Alpine and El Dorado Counties have reported little fall color, though it will develop soon.

The arrival of autumn color is inevitable, despite temperature, as days shorten and deciduous plants lose their ability to produce chlorophyl.

It’s been interesting to read what fall color observers elsewhere are predicting. Marylanders say the show will be delayed due to their September’s warm weather. Minnesotans predicted a vibrant show because of their wet year. Tennesseeans declare it’s too early to tell, blaming a hot summer with little rain. New Yorkers and Oregonians seem similarly undecided. North Carolinans believe it will show later than usual. Wisconsin … about normal.

So, what is it … early or late? We reply for California. It should be about normal. Nights have gotten colder. Trees nurtured by a previous wet winter and dry summer are primed to carry glorious color. And, we only have a few days to wait, as autumn begins on Monday.

• Greenville, Plumas County (3,586′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
• Historic Downtown Quincy (3,432′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – A few trees are starting to show color, but the major players are still green.