Cumulonimbus clouds extend through all levels of altitude and can be 10 or more miles in height.

Cumulonimbus Clouds, or thunderheads, are most likely to form over San Diego County’s deserts and mountains during the latter part of the summer season, beginning around late July. The clouds appear by mid-afternoon — often the result of moist, tropical air entering the county from the south or southeast. If intense, these cloud buildups can be accompanied by enough rain to flood the desert washes and mountain drainages. And when the weather pattern allows the movement of moist air beyond the mountain barriers, even coastal San Diego County can experience the cool spatter of raindrops and spectacular evening lightning displays.

Figeater beetles are often mistaken for green June beetles and occasionally Japanese beetles, which occur in the eastern US.

Wikimedia Commons/Insects Unlocked

June Bugs are emerging as summer’s warmth is finally upon us. The green June beetle, only one of some 300 species of scarab beetles found in Southern California, flashes a metallic green underbelly as it buzzes about erratically. The mature scarabs flying about have spent at least a year underground in larval form, munching at the roots of lawns or your favorite ornamental plants.

The crescent Moon is always low in the sky and around dawn or dusk, never in darkness.

On July 20 At 9 pm, see the crescent Moon with Mars to its left; and Venus slightly below to the west. Mars is at its dimmest so far this year at magnitude +1.8, matching the Big Dipper’s stars, but the Moon and Venus are much brighter.