Cross-Country Skiing, Christmas Berry, and Tree Aloes
Cross-Country Skiers are in for a short-lived treat late this month through February. As the clouds are clearing, you may be able to take advantage of good skiing conditions along Highway 79 through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and along Sunrise …
Shorebird-Watching
Shorebird-Watching enters its most agreeable season this month and next, with migrant and resident birds sharing common winter grounds. Egrets, herons, terns, and a variety of other species provide endless entertainment as they go about the business of fishing and …
Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight
The Total Lunar Eclipse of December 20-21 is the first such event visible from North America in nearly the past three years. As during all eclipses of the moon, the moon will be at full phase. This eclipse event involves …
Moon of Long Nights, High and Low Tides
Extreme High and Low Tides are set to occur on a string of days next week, during a period that coincides with both the moon reaching full phase and Earth reaching the winter-solstice position in its orbit. These two factors …
Eyes on the Sky: Jupiter and the Geminid Meteor Shower
Jupiter, the "king" of the planets, appears high in the southern sky after sunset. Note its creamy yellow-white color and unblinking brightness. Aim a small telescope at Jupiter anytime during the next few weeks to see the cloud-belt-banded planet flanked …
Sunrise, Sunset, Ripening Palm Fruit
Spectacular Sunsets and Sunrises are characteristic of late fall and early winter's dry spells. You can drive up to Soledad Park atop Mount Soledad in La Jolla or Mount Helix near La Mesa for an all encompassing view. Or try …
Earliest Sunset of the Year
Earliest Sunset. (4:43 p.m. from San Diego) occurs Monday, December 6, a date that is not coincident with the shortest day (winter solstice — December 21) because of factors relating to the noncircular shape of Earth's orbit around the sun …
Sweet Gums
Liquidambar Trees, or sweet gums, the colorfully deciduous trees gracing front yards, parks, and campuses throughout the San Diego area, have been putting on a good show for the past month. The maplelike leaves of some varieties have turned from …
Venus, Tides, and December Hikes
The Planet Venus blazes like a beacon high in the eastern sky during the early stages of morning twilight in late November through December. On very clear mornings, Venus can even be spotted with the naked eye following sunrise, assuming …
Tarantulas and Ice Crystals
Atmospheric Ice-crystal Effects are often observed, starting about this time of year, because of the frequent appearance of high clouds made of tiny bits of ice. The most familiar of these optical effects is the 22°-radius halo, or ring, around …
Rainbow Season
"Rainbow Season" arrives with the first rains of the season. Scattered showers are best for rainbow watching: sunlight refracting and reflecting through the raindrops causes two bows to appear -- an intense circular arc at 42°, and a bigger, but …
Beaver Moon Tonight
November's Full Moon rises dramatically in the east at around 4:45 p.m., just after the time of sunset, on Sunday, November 21. Barring the incursion of overnight low clouds across the coastal strip, San Diegans can witness the same full …
Temperatures, Sunsets, and Fremont Cottonwoods
Low-lying Temperature Inversions commonly occur in San Diego as winter approaches. During the night and morning hours, a meterological condition often occurs in which the "normal" higher-you-go-the colder-it-gets trend is reversed. At such times cold marine air lies below a …
The Annual Leonid Meteor Shower
The Annual Leonid Meteor Shower, famous for its outbursts over the period 1998-2002, has now settled down to a modest display of only about 10-30 visible events per hour (as seen under clear, dark skies). This year the shower peaks …
Declining Temps, Santa Anas, and Acorn Dropping
Local Temperatures should be declining most rapidly during this time of year, according to more than a century of local meteorological records. With every successive week, daily maximum temperatures are declining by about 3/4°Fahrenheit, and daily minimum temperatures are plummeting …
Daylight Savings Time Arrives
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday morning, November 7 at 2 a.m. With the resumption of standard time, midday (the time when the sun reaches its maximum altitude in the south part of the sky) will again be close to …
New Moon = Extreme Tides
Extreme Low and High Tides are taking place this weekend, in concert with the new moon. On Friday, November 5, the tide crests at +6.7 feet at 8:39 a.m., and then falls to a low of -1.1 feet at 3:28 …
The Taurid Meteor Shower and the Planet Venus
The Taurid Meteor Shower, featuring about 10-15 visible events per hour -- as seen under clear, dark skies -- peaks this year on the morning of Thursday, November 4. Best times for viewing are approximately 10pm to 3am. No moonlight …
Floss Silks, Black Oaks, and Autumn Leaves
The Floss Silk Tree, a conspicuous "autumn bloomer" here and there around San Diego, has been showing off its pinkish or purplish, hibiscus-like flowers for at least a month now. The broad, heavy trunks of this South American import, studded …
Blood Moon Tonight
The Full Moon rises majestically in the east at around 5:50pm on Friday, October 22, some 15 minutes before the time of sunset. If the skies are clear, this is a perfect time to take a late afternoon walk and …