Jupiter and the Winter Constellations
The Planet Jupiter remains prominent in the southwestern sky after dark in January through February; however, it will be ever lower in the sky into late February and March. In early April, Jupiter will be in conjunction with the sun, …
San Diego County's Waterfalls
Already swollen with runoff and snowmelt from recent storms, San Diego County's waterfalls should be at their very best during the next month or two. Three of the most accessible are: Green Valley Falls at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park; the …
Acacias and Frost-Bitten Laurel Sumacs
Acacias, estooned with myriads of fluffy yellow blossoms, are brightening streetsides, freeway embankments, and backyard gardens throughout the San Diego area this month. Although many acacias are native to subtropical regions, nearly all we see today in San Diego were …
January's Extreme Tides, High Rainfall, and a Quiet Moon
Highest Monthly Rainfall totals in San Diego are most likely to occur in January and February (about 1.9 inches each on average) according to weather-service statistics. If low temperatures accompany the typical Pacific storms of this period, there's a chance …
Green Flash Opportunities Ripe in January
The Fabled "Green Flash" at sunset or sunrise can sometimes be seen on crystal-clear days in January. At the instant the sun's upper rim is last visible at sunset, and also at the instant when it is first seen at …
Latest Sunrise of the Year Occurs Monday
Jupiter Joins Venus in the western sky at dusk on Sunday, January 9. The two lie about 10 degrees apart from one another — a noticeable yet not spectacular pairing. The Latest Sunrise of the year (on standard, not daylight …
Rainfall Brings Early Growth
Green and Gold are the colors of the coastal region's natural landscape in early 2011. A greater-than-average amount of rain late last year triggered the early growth of annual grasses and weeds, with greens replacing yellows and browns. At the …
Chilly Days and Nights and the Return of the Waxing Crescent Moon
Recent Chilly Days and Nights only confirm that San Diego's lowest temperatures (according to more than a century of weather records) tend to occur during the month of January. January's mean temperature at Lindbergh Field is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. …
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower, Extreme Tides
Extreme High and Low Tides will occur again in early January. On New Year's day, a peak high tide of +6.2 feet occurs at 6:21 a.m. Sunday, January 2, a high tide of +6.3 feet peaks at 7:04 a.m. Monday's …