Jacaranda trees are blooming early across Southern California. Here's why

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Every spring, jacaranda trees drop bright purple flowers that transform neighborhoods across Southern California, covering streets, sidewalks and cars in what some call "purple snow."

The blooms, although beautiful to look at, can possibly be annoying if you have to clean up after them.

This year, you may have noticed that the jacarandas are blooming earlier than usual.

"Typically, they usually start to bloom around May, June, but I think we saw them start to bloom at the end of April," said Michael King, Urban Forestry Program Coordinator for the city of Pasadena.

So what's behind the early bloom? Experts say warmer temperatures could be playing a role, especially after the record heat wave in March, which could speed up plant and flower development.

Jacaranda trees are native to South America and were first introduced to California in the late 1800s as part of a beautification project. Today, there's an estimated 70,000 jacaranda trees across Los Angeles alone.

"People become curious about them. It is an attractive exotic plant... it's common for nurseries to carry these because of growth and demand."

The reason why these trees do well in Southern California and come back year after year comes down to the region's climate.

"The theory as to why they thrive in Southern California is due to similarities in a sub-tropical dry, arid environment," Kind added.

While they typically peak in late spring and early summer, some trees can produce a small pre-bloom before the main bloom - meaning L.A.'s purple season may just be getting started.