Laurel Sumac faces frostbite, Local waterfalls are pumping

The Frost-Nipped Legacies of the this winter’s cold spells aren’t hard to spot, especially in the inland areas where overnight lows dipped to below freezing. Look for brown lawns, half-dead-looking avocado trees, and wilted ornamental plants like poinsettias. One common frost-sensitive native plant, the laurel sumac, is especially responsive to the reach of cold air. Laurel sumac is often the largest and most conspicuous plant growing within the coastal sagescrub type of vegetation native to San Diego’s undisturbed canyon hillsides. Wherever freezing-cold air has sunk into low-lying canyons and basins, laurel sumac bushes tell the story by appearing brown and withered a few weeks later.

Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls are two of many waterfalls benefitting from San Diego's recent rains.

San Diego County’s Waterfalls are going to be pumping for the next couple of months because of all the rainfall we’ve recently received. Three of the most accessible are: Green Valley Falls at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park; the falls below the first palm grove in Borrego Palm Canyon (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park); and the falls at the midpoint of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve — a three-mile walk from either its east or west entrance. Hikers and climbers can explore many other waterfalls (some with heights up to 100 feet) in remote areas of the county.

On the evening of Valentine’s Day, you can observe Jupiter hovering just to the left of the Moon. Perhaps try toasting the heavens with a champagne over a romantic dinner with a loved one.