INSIDER BLOG: A look at what’s in store this fall
Welcome to Autumn!
Mother Nature's feeling festive this year and brought us some classic fall-like weather to start the season. Cool mornings and mild afternoons have us looking ahead to what's in store for the Autumn season.
WHAT IS AUTUMN
Sunlight gives us weather but the tilt of the earth gives us the seasons. That year-round uneven distribution of sunlight is what drives weather and leads to seasonal changes. Autumn is just when the tilt of the earth isn't pointed at or away from the sun--just off to the side.
SPEAKING OF SUNLIGHT
The sun will be getting lower and lower in the sky with each passing day until the Winter Solstice. That, along with a help from Daylight Saving, will lead to earlier sunsets and later sunrises.
CHANGING LEAVES
It's that lowing sun angle that is responsible for the trees shedding their green color and showing their real color this time of year.
As for what really makes them pop, we need more days like today to help maximize our foliage. It's always tough to walk the fine line between enough sun but not enough to warm us up. Or to bring in cool, crisp nights without a powerful front bringing heavy rain or wind.
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
The cooler weather might be tough to come by going forward, but the dry days look to be a theme that will continue over the next few weeks.
The Precipitation Outlook from the Climate Prediction Center just released their new 8-14 day outlook. The long term pattern could feature plenty of high pressure to our northeast, which would keep the area without enough moisture to produce rain.
As always, send us those foliage pictures when the leaves do turn. You can send those weather pictures from our website-this link will take you there. Or you can send them right from your phone if you download the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather App!
