Fall Into Autumn

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Weather: Clear Sides and Hurricanes

There comes a cold snap in late August or early September when I always say: "Summer's back is broken." The period from then until late October is the most cloud-free month (and longer) of the year across most of the eastern half of the United States. For much of the Southwest, June is the most cloud-free, while July is for the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. For nowhere in the 48 states—except southern Florida—is any month from November through May most cloud-free.

But September is not all coolness and clarity, and neither is August for that matter. These two months are the dreaded months of hurricane season. And this isn't only true for prime targets, Florida and the Gulf Coast. Hurricanes need warm water, but the oceans take longer to cool down from summer's maximum solar radiation than the atmosphere. Thus it is quite possible for spots far north of the Atlantic Coast to get hit by devastating hurricanes in September and October, and possibly even early November.

The Living World: Monarchs

Fall migrations begin in August (actually a little earlier for some species, believe it or not) and rise to a peak in September. Everywhere, birds are on the move. But it is not just birds that migrate or are capable of winging thousands of miles, sometimes across hundreds of miles of water. So, too, does one of the few members of the insect world that is adored by just about everyone—the monarch butterfly.

I can't tell you exactly when to look for the most monarchs passing by because they seem to come in different groups from August through October, and the weather and other complications mean that the size and time of the largest group may vary greatly each year. If you're lucky, you'll be near a bay or large lake where the butterflies pause to refresh themselves on the nectar of plants before attempting the perilous crossing. The most spectacular display I've ever seen in New Jersey was on October 9, when some tall cedar trees near our bay were literally covered with the beautiful, colorful creatures.

Of course, the most amazing fact is nearly all of the monarchs in the eastern United States and Canada winter in a single tiny locale in the mountains of Mexico; nearly all of those in the western United States and Canada winter in a single tiny locale in California. You can visit the "monarch trees" in Pacific Grove, California, where laws against bothering these butterflies are, happily, quite strong.

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