You know how excited I would get about that pattern during the winter and how annoyed everyone would be about the screaming Pacific jet and 1500' snow levels.
I'd say it's one of the three most significant events of my lifetime (I was a senior in high school, so one year behind you.). End of the Cold War, 9/11, and COVID-19 pandemic.
I don't know that we've ever really recovered from 9/11.
Nope, it’s the same out here. Wet summers followed by dry autumns produce the best color. Hot/dry summers do the opposite.
This year will have crappy color. Leaves started dropping from the trees during early/mid July, now most have lost 25% - 40% of their foliage, just from heat/drought stress.