2009.09.18
Hit the reset button on the dampness
Largely because of weak upper-level steering winds, the slow-moving low in the south-central U.S. simply hasn't delivered on its rain potential for our region the last two days. Some sunshine is likely on what will likely be a very nice Saturday for outdoor activities. But by Sunday, the meandering low will finally be kicked out by another low digging in from the north. This will restore the southeast winds, the low clouds, and an increasing chance of showers. Next week could follow a very similar pattern as this week, with the new low likely to also stall and meander in the south-central U.S. before finally being kicked out late in the week.
More days than not over the next 7-10 or so will be dreary, so enjoy Saturday's sunshine.
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And while we have this period of dull, drab weather ... I will be away from Weather Journal some the next few days ... if you post a comment, it will eventually get posted, but might take a little while longer than normal.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — September 18, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
I've noticed around the Roanoke Valley that there are quite a few trees with leaves already starting to change colors. I can't remember ever seeing leaves changing colors this early. Do you know why this is occuring?
Comment by Bradley — September 19, 2009 @ 11:08 am
The lack of hot summer weather probably has something to do with it. I'm trying to find a good foliage expert to explain these things in a future Weather Journal column.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — September 19, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
For the first 30 years of my life, I lived in Massachusetts. I know that an early frost or three will often get leaves to start changing early. We certainly have had nothing even close to that. Also dry weather, but as in really dry weather, such as a drought, not the relatively few weeks of dryness some areas have had for the past 4-6 weeks. Only possible explanation other than those is that all the cloudy weather we have had recently is keeping sunshine off the leaves, "fooling" them into thinking that it is mid-October, not September. But that is pure conjecture on my part, and possibly very wrong.
Comment by Doug Griggs — September 20, 2009 @ 1:09 am
I've noticed the same thing (early leaf color change) in Wytheville.
Comment by Rick — September 20, 2009 @ 8:55 am
Quite a few leaves are turning around Radford too. Our big maple tree has some color at the tops, while our walnuts and pear trees are still nice and green. One of our crape myrtles still has some blooms on it too, sort of weird.
Comment by Other John — September 21, 2009 @ 8:20 am
If you want a foliage expert, seek out Dr. John Seiler in the Virginia Tech's Forestry department.
Comment by Nate — September 21, 2009 @ 10:37 am
You may be on to something Doug. Some trees respond to day-length or photo period when it comes to leafing out in the spring, so some may be responding to a reduced photo period here in the fall. You may have noticed that oak trees always come out at the same time (last) in the spring......totally photo dependent. Most fruit trees unfortunately respond to temperatures more and thus we lose fruit to late freezes frequently.
Comment by Rick — September 21, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
Thanks for the vote of possible agreement, Rick. But perhaps the moisture levels of the past 6-7 weeks are having an effect, too. Except for a lonely maple or two, absolutely nothing has started changing here in our SW Roanoke County area, but we had well over 4 inches of rain in August here, including a very wet storm around the 22nd. Lawns still look emerald green. From what others are posting here on the blog, that is definitely not the case in Wytheville and Radford and perhaps other areas (New Castle in Craig County) north of I-81 (I consider I-81 to be an east-west road from Daleville to Wytheville; .... Wytheville is just a little south of Roanoke, but much further west).
Comment by Doug Griggs — September 21, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
Thanks, Nate, for the suggestion!
I noticed some color last week at higher elevations on Roanoke Mountain ... very spotty, but very colorful.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — September 22, 2009 @ 11:18 pm