PNW Living
The Fall Read & Watch
Read Charlotte’s Web slowly through September and October—a chapter or two at a time. Read it with your kids, alongside a friend, or solo. When you finish, celebrate with a cozy movie night, popcorn, Washington apples, and cider.
PNW Climate Snapshot
September
Average highs: upper 60s–70s°F
Crisp mornings begin
Rivers are low and salmon begin returning
Wildfire smoke is still possible early in the month
First hints of autumn color at higher elevations
October
Sweater weather arrives
Rain becomes more consistent
Peak fall color spreads through western Washington
Morning fog becomes common
Mushroom season begins
November
The Pacific Northwest settles into its rainy season
Cool days, dark evenings, cozy mornings
Snow begins accumulating in the Cascades
Best month for storm watching along the coast
Salmon runs continue on many rivers
Seasonal Shelf
Here are two books I recommend for fall.
Full Moons for Fall 2026
September 26 — Corn Moon
October 26 — Hunter's Moon
November 24 — Beaver Moon
Rainy Day List
Visit the library
Bake bread
Read by the fire
Tour a greenhouse
Play board games
Visit a museum
Watch salmon from a covered bridge
Put on ponchos and head to the Zoo
PNW Preparedness
September is National Preparedness Month, and here in the Pacific Northwest, being prepared is just part of living here.
Take a few minutes this month to check your emergency supplies, sign up for local alerts, know your evacuation routes and make sure everyone in your household knows the plan.
Ready.gov is a great resource if you need somewhere to start.
What I'm Watching: Wildfire Documentaries
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I don't remember wildfire having much of an effect on my everyday summer life. In recent years, though, it has started to feel a lot closer to home. Smoke season now feels like part of late summer, and I hate that some of our best summer days are spent checking if the air is even safe to be outside.
Over the past few years, I've developed a bit of a hyperfixation on wildfire documentaries. If you're like me and would rather understand something than just be scared of it, here are ten documentaries I'd recommend that look at wildfire from very different angles.
-
The devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California.
-
What happened to the community afterward.
-
The tragic 1949 Mann Gulch Fire and the smokejumpers who fought it.
-
A deeper look at why wildfires have become so complicated.
-
Follow new wildland firefighters into fire season.
-
An up-close look at firefighters, residents and photographers during California wildfires.
-
Wildfire, forests and communities across the American West.
-
Fire ecology, forests and the future of wildfire.
-
A look at the extraordinary 2020 fire season.
-
California's incarcerated firefighters and the complicated system behind the program.
Fall PNW Fashion
This fall I'm seeing
• Barn jackets layered over hoodies
Chocolate brown replacing black
• Relaxed denim with loafers
• Suede clogs at the farmers market
• Canvas totes filled with apples and flowers
• Chunky knit sweaters on ferry rides
• Waterproof boots that still look polished
Highlight one item each month.
September:
A barn jacket.
October:
Suede clogs.
November:
An oversized wool scar
Moss Green
Cedar Brown
Oatmeal
Rust
Evergreen
Blackberry
Cream
Weathered Denim
Chocolate
Burgundy
Fall Home Checklist
Clean gutters before the heavy rains.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Bring patio cushions inside.
Drain and store garden hoses.
Clean the fireplace or wood stove.
Wash windows before the rainy season.
Flip mattresses.
Replace HVAC filters.
Stock up on firewood if needed.
Garden
What to plant in September
Spring bulbs to plant now
Dividing perennials
Fall lawn care
Compost tips
Cover crops
Garlic planting guide