This is only 2nd year I've had a Lilac, but I don't remember it turning this color last winter. Is it dying? Weather has changed so much over the last several yrs in WA state. Hot and drought during summer and winter monsoons. In fact a lot of my plants are struggling but I know what to do with them. Lilacs are new to me and wanted to ask for advice before I prune it down to a nub

It's hard to say. Our lilac drops its leaves in fall. We are in the Puget Sound basin. Some frosts now and then, and rare deep arctic freezes.

I'd let it alone through the winter. Cutting it back is not needed. If you want to do that, wait until next season. I bet the plant will do fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

That video I might agree with if it turned brown in the summer time.... did it? This I doubt because the winter buds look very healthy and the leaves are not wilted. Because lilacs are not native anywhere in North America, they tend not to follow our seasons with fall color at the correct time. Actually, here in Minnesota they never have fall color and usually freeze and drop green. Yes, it's a little weird what is happening to yours now, but I don't think there is any problem. Climate change is affecting all kinds of plants. Some of the lilacs here in Minnesota bloomed in October this year, and they shouldnot be blooming until next spring.

Our lilacs here suffered lilac blight, turned brown and drop leaves not too long after blooming.
It was caused by a wet spring .
I sprayed with copper solution and all the lilacs releafed.
I also sprayed the fallen leaves on the ground as it was near impossible to remove them.
The disease is common but not fatal especially if treated even if most leaves are already brown.

If you cut it back now you will get zero flowers next Spring. those fat buds are where the flowers will come from in the Spring. Lilacs should be pruned during and immediately after blooming.

CPPgardener said: If you cut it back now you will get zero flowers next Spring. those fat buds are where the flowers will come from in the Spring. Lilacs should be pruned during and immediately after blooming.

Next year and as my brother found out, for the most part a long time.

Spray it with copper as we did/do, eliminates a lot of problems.