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Autumn’s glorious colors on display as first major storm of season arrives

Fresno Bee staff
Trees turn from green to yellow and brown while framing Willow Creek in North Fork on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. The fall colors on the trees around Central California are nearing their peak this time of year.
Trees turn from green to yellow and brown while framing Willow Creek in North Fork on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. The fall colors on the trees around Central California are nearing their peak this time of year. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Fall foliage in the central San Joaquin Valley and Sierra is reaching a peak now, with reds, oranges, yellows and golds making deciduous trees a beautiful sight. Those leaves might blow off over the weekend, as the first significant storm of autumn is forecast to arrive Friday and continue through Sunday.

A winter storm watch has been called by the National Weather Service for the Sierra above 7,000 feet. There, six to 12 inches of snow are expected, with 18 inches possible at higher elevations. Travel in the high country will be difficult, with blowing snow and reduced visibility on mountain highways, the NWS said.

On the Valley floor precipitation will fall as rain. There is a 30 percent chance Friday, then 50 percent chance on Saturday. Sunday will scale back to a 30 percent chance. Daytime highs in Fresno will be mid-60s Friday and Saturday and upper 50s on Sunday, well below normal highs in the low 70s at this time of year.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Autumn’s glorious colors on display as first major storm of season arrives."

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