After 4 weeks of bone-dry weather, finally got much-needed significant rainfall on Friday Sept. 17 that apparently was very localized to my immediate area.  Although the heavy thundershower dumped 1.55" in only about 1 hour, the ground was quite dry & soaked it up. Lawn & landscape plants were noticeably rehydrated by the next morning.  On Saturday Sept. 18 there was an additional 0.28" rain.

On Friday I noted many trees of various species are beginning to change color; suspect water stress is prompting early seasonal change.  Also noticed several oak trees in the area have completely brown canopies with leaves still attached.  An oak in a neighbor's yard has turned brown & suddenly dropped all its leaves in a neat circle under the tree; this has happened over the past 5 days.

Hopefully the forecast of additional showers over the next several days will hold true & we'll avoid the necessity of a burn ban.