Another La Niña Winter Predicted
La Niña, which contributed to extreme weather around the globe during the first half of 2011, has re-emerged in the tropical Pacific Ocean and is forecast to gradually strengthen and continue into winter. [In September], forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center upgraded last month’s La Niña Watch to a La Niña Advisory.
NOAA will issue its official winter outlook in mid-October, but La Niña winters often see drier than normal conditions across the southern tier of the United States and wetter than normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley.
“This means drought is likely to continue in the drought-stricken states of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center. “La Niña also often brings colder winters to the Pacific Northwest and the northern Plains, and warmer temperatures to the southern states.”
For more information and the full story, visit http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110908_lanina.html
Movie Night & Winter Stoke! Coming in November
In the high desert of South America, winter takes hold, devouring bleached bones and abandoned shacks. Born in the spires of Argentina's legendary Las Leñas, a lonely two-year journey begins through an abandoned world. Wandering the length of a continent from Peru's Cordillera Blanca to Chilean Patagonia, Solitaire fuses western-inspired tales of backcountry gambles into landscapes never before visited on film.
11/11/11 Mt Shasta Brewing Co, 360 College Ave, WEED
11/17/11 Wayside Grill, 2217 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd, MT SHASTA
7pm - $10 - All ages welcome, 10 & under free
Please come EARLY if you plan on dining at the restaurants!
10th Anniversary Snow Ball January 21, 2012
Wow, that’s right, nine years ago we thought we could raise a little money and have a lot of fun by bringing the community together for a good old dance party, and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since. In the past decade the annual event has raised nearly $80,000 to support the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center’s efforts to help keep the public safe in the backcountry through education and information sharing. From everything to promoting and assisting in presentations and clinics to purchasing and maintaining weather stations and forecasting equipment, FMSAC has played a key role in keeping you informed and aware.
Once again the Snow Ball will be held at the Weed Sons of Italy Hall and will feature the talented local band Blue Relish. Blue Relish is a NorCal (Siskiyou County) band serving condiments for the soul. The band dishes out heaping portions of dance worthy music. Their roots are in the blues, but they also relish in rock, reggae, swing and country, appealing to a broad audience. The band has been performing at clubs, festivals and special events since 2008 throughout the region, from the Sacramento Valley to the Rogue Valley and beyond.
Fronting the band is Anna Repetto. Her soulful vocals have been compared to Janis Joplin and Susan Tedeschi and bring any stage to life! Mark your calendars!
2011/2012 FREE Education Dates set
Avalanche Awareness presentations for the 2011/2012 season will take place Friday evenings at the Forest Service Conference Room in Mt. Shasta (across the street from the Ranger Station, 204 West Alma) on December 2, January 6, February 3 and March 2 from 7 to 9pm. Transceiver clinics will be held on Saturdays, December 3, January 7, February 4 and March 3 and will meet at 9am at the Fifth Season in Mount Shasta before heading to the snow.
2012 Avalanche Education Scholarship
Each year FMSAC awards a community member a scholarship towards the tuition of an avalanche education course. Our mission is to increase backcountry awareness and safety in avalanche terrain, so the more people take courses the better. Whether you are looking for an intro course or seeking to advance your knowledge, FMSAC can help. The 2012 Whitaker-Keane Memorial Scholarship will be posted this December. Visit fmsac.org for posting information or to learn more about this fund.
What have we done for you lately?
Interpretive Signs installed in Ski Bowl! The new avalanche interpretive signs for the Old Ski Bowl slide site have were installed in September and are looking beautiful. The installation completes FMSAC’s Ski Bowl Interpretive Upgrade campaign which has been a slow but rewarding 3 year process. The road may not be open much longer, so if you haven’t had a chance to walk the short trail and see the signs, we encourage you to visit the site.
There is a trail marker on the west side of the Everitt Memorial Highway just before the first Ski Bowl parking lot. The trail leads to three signs which point out the avalanche starting zone and devastation area and includes detailed information and photos of the 1995 event.
MSAC Computer Upgrade Completed. The Friends purchased additional monitors and memory for the computers used in generating the avalanche and weather advisories. This will make researching, collecting and summarizing data from many sources easier and faster for forecasters so they can get that information to you accurately and timely.
Weather Station Maintenance. In the last few months FMSAC has also provided funding for weather station upgrades, including maintenance on the Ski Bowl tipping bucket, replacement snow depth hardware and a base retrofit for Castle Lake. These improvements help in our goal to keep public access to weather and snow information as easy and seamless as possible.
Website Updated
Visit fmsac.org for updated info on this winter’s FREE avalanche education dates, events and donation information. We appreciate your support!
Visit us on Facebook
For an easy way to stay tuned to all MSAC and FMSAC news, visit the Avalanche Center Facebook page at (www.facebook.com/shastaavalanche).
Don’t forget to renew your membership!
Benefits include emailed advisories, discounts on FMSAC gear and on avalanche rescue packages in local shops, newsletters and that warm, fuzzy feeling knowing you are helping to keep the backcountry community safer by supporting the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center’s public information and education mission. Your funds stay in the community and an inviting backcountry helps support the local economy. Thanks for your support! Membership forms are online at fmsac.org or below.
Thank you and have a safe and happy winter season!