90-Day Forecast Oct-Dec

The Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service has just released the 90-day forecast for October-December.

It call for near normal precipitation over extreme northwest Utah and below normal over the remainder of northern Utah, over southern Idaho western Colorado. Temperatures are expected to be above normal over Utah, Idaho and Colorado.

La Nina (water colder than normal in mid-Pacific Ocean) will be a player once winter sets-in and will update each month on the progress of this event.

The information on this blog provided by the Climate Prediction Center of the NWS.

Tram from The Canyons to Soliltude

The idea of a tram connecting Solitude Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon to The Canyons is being talked and reconsidered again. The proposal is with Talisker Mountain Inc. to build a tram or lift between the two resorts.

This would not be ski lift, as you would normally think and not put anyone on the mountain. It would be strictly to transport (skiers or whoever) over the top of the Wasatch Mountains from the two resorts. It would not effect backcountry skiing which has been the major complaint in the past.

The proposal has not been submitted to the Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest that would be needed for the transportation link because any support structure on the Big Cottonwood Canyon side would be in Forest Service land.

The information for this blog is from the Salt Lake Tribune 9/28/2011 by Mike Gorrell.

Heated Sidewalks & Skating Rink

The Historic Park City Alliance has some great ideas to keep Main Street vibrant to be in competition with Deer Valley, Kimball Junction and The Canyons. The alliance is made up from many suggestions from merchants along Main Street, Swede Alley and portions of Park Avenue.

Some of the ideas are:
Install a roof over the parking lot at the top of Main Street near the Wasatch Brew Pub. A refrigerated ice rink would be built atop.

Heated sidewalks along Main Street.

Some of the smaller items in the plan, such as more benches on Main Street and improvements to pocket parks, could be implemented in the near future.

These ideas were outlined in a 19-page report with projects the improvements cost at $5.7 million.

Information in this blog provided by the Salt Lake Tribune 9/20/2011.

La Nina Conditions Have Returned! September Update

La Nina conditions have returned and are expected to gradually strengthen and continue into the Northern Hemisphere winter 2011-2012. Recalling that last winter as an La Nina winter also with well above normal amounts of precipitation in northern Utah, southern Idaho and western Colorado.

Over the last several months many models have predicted increasingly negative sea surface temperatures anomalies in the central Pacific Ocean during the upcoming fall and winter.

Across the contiguous United States, temperature and precipitation impacts associated with La Nina are expected to remain weak during the remainder of the Northern Hemisphere in the fall, and to generally strengthen during the late fall into winter.

The good news is that in appears that the northern storm track will be active for the upcoming winter - and if this is so above normal amounts of precipitation are expected in northern Utah, southern Idaho and western Colorado.

Updates on the development of this La Nina will be blogged each month.

Information was obtained from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center in Washington D.C.

As summer winds down leading into fall it's time to think about makes reservations for the upcoming Winter 2011-2012 - nightly rental properties are available at Skitriphomes website: http://www.skitriphomes.com/

Events in the Greater San Diego Area During December

2nd-3rd Balboa Park December Lights to kick-off the holiday season in participating museums open their doors with entertainment, food and holiday cheer.
5 to 9 pm - FREE - website:http://www.VisitDecemberNights.org

11th & 18th San Diego Parade of Lights see over 100 boats, all decked out in lighted glory, cruise a 7.5 mile route on San Diego Bay. Best vantage points from the shore are along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado. - 5:30 to 9 pm. Note: Only on Sundays.

San Diego Harbor Tour a 13-mile tour of the North or South Bay which includes over 50 points of interest. Learn about the history of San Diego. See see famous sights such as Navy ships, aircraft carriers, the Coronado Bridge, the Star of India, the Cruise Ship terminal, Seaport Village, the historic ships of the Maritime Museum, and the downtown skyline. Every day - 10 am to 5:30 pm (North Bay) & 11:15 am to 4:15 pm (South Bay) - Cost $26.95 (Internet $21.95) & Children 4-12 $10.95 and younger FREE - website: http://www.sandiegotours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=9355

Jesus Christ Superstar performed at the La Jolla Playhouse with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber - Cost $64 - $250 - website: http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/

Normal temperatures in December are 66/49.

Be sure to spend a day at the theme parks in the area all decked-out for the holidays:
Sea World website: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/animals/webcams/
San Diego Zoo website: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/
Legoland website: http://www.legoland.com/

Events in the Greater San Diego Area During November

6th- Fall Back Festival in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego as we set our clocks back we venture back into the 1880s. Take an old-fashioned hay ride and a tour of the town as you try to picture the dusty dirt roads, bustling vendors and talented blacksmiths. Watch your little ones strike it rich just like the forty-niners as they pan for gold.- William Health David House 11 am-4 pm - FREE - website: http://www.mcfarlanepromotions.com

16th-20th - 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival to celebrate a weeklong culinary classic of food and wine prepared by some of San Diego's top chefs. - website:http://www.worldwineevents.com

San Diego Harbor Tour a 13-mile tour of the North or South Bay which includes over 50 points of interest. Learn about the history of San Diego. See see famous sights such as Navy ships, aircraft carriers, the Coronado Bridge, the Star of India, the Cruise Ship terminal, Seaport Village, the historic ships of the Maritime Museum, and the downtown skyline. Every day - 10 am to 5:30 pm (North Bay) & 11:15 am to 4:15 pm (South Bay) - Cost $26.95 (Internet $21.95) & Children 4-12 $10.95 and younger FREE - website: http://www.sandiegotours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=9355

Navy SEAL Boat Adventures Rides includes riding in a R.I.B. that provides an up-close view of your favorite marine life in the waters around San Diego, including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales. - Harbor Island - Cost $65-$75 adults & $50-$60 for kids - website: http://tourguidetim.com/navy-seal-boat-adventure-rides/

Normal temperatures during November are 70/54.

Hotel del Coronado is on Colorado Island and since opening in 1888 the Hotel Del Coronado has attracted filmmakers, presidents and royalty. A National Historic Landmark, is situated along 31 oceanfront acres on Coronado Island, and is considered one of America's most beautiful resorts. The hotel as featured in Some Like it Hot and My Blue Heaven.

Be sure to spend a day at the theme parks in the area:
Sea World website: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/animals/webcams/
San Diego Zoo website: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/
Legoland website: http://www.legoland.com/

Events in the Greater San Diego Area During October

1st & 2nd - Sights & Ships Sunset Cruises this cruise combines both, while throwing in spectacular bay views, an enticing menu of light bites that changes monthly and cocktail specials (Friday & Saturday through October) 6 pm -Cost $35 - website: http://www.hornblower.com/hce/port/overview/sd+sightsips.

1st - SeaWorld Shamu & You Family Walk 1-mile & 4-mile fun, family walk from Rose Marie Starns South Shores Park through SeaWorld and along beautiful Mission Bay. Participants receive 50% off admission to SeaWorld, colorful event T-shirt and much more - 8 am - call 858-966-7540 for more info.

1st-2nd - Old Town San Diego Art Festival with artists featured along the historic streets of Old Town - 10 am-6 pm - Cost FREE! website: htpp://www.oldtownartfestival.com/

2nd - Taste & Art Stroll is in the charming village of Del Mar. The event includes a FREE art stroll and Ticketed restaurant taste. - 10 am-5 pm - website: http://www.delmarmainstreet.com/Taste_Art_Stroll_2010.php

8th - OB Octoberfest features entertainment both inside the beer garden at the foot of Newport Avenue as well as outside in the all ages section on the grassy, beachfront area. On the Veterans Plaza lawn - 9 am-8 pm -cost Beer Garden donation $3 - website: http://www.oceanbeachsandiego.com/ob-oktoberfest.

29th - Monster Bash is back and come party with some of San Diego’s sexiest goblins and ghouls at the biggest Halloween Bash in the City! At the 11th Annual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash . 6 - 12 pm - Cost $30 in advance & $35 at the door - website: http://www.sandiegomonsterbash.com/

12th - A Taste of Coronado with early two dozen restaurants, retailers, and hotels will offer food and beverage samples to participants at Rotary Park from 5:30-9 pm - Cost $35 in advance and $45 the day of event.

22nd - Boulevard BOO! Parade & Carnival celebrates community spirit and cultural diversity as San Diego’s only Halloween theme parade spirits down El Cajon Boulevard. Heading east, the parade route begins at 59th Street followed by packed carnival includes bone chilling kid’s rides, games, food and live entertainment. - 10 am-5 pm - It's FREE!

Old Town in San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California. San Diego is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. In 1769 Father Juniper Sierra came to establish the first mission in a chain of 21 missions.

Be sure to spend a day at the theme parks in the area:
Sea World website: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/animals/webcams/
San Diego Zoo website: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/
Legoland website: http://www.legoland.com/

Events in the Greater San Diego Area During September

7th - Closing Day & Party in the Paddock at the Del Mar Racetrack as they say farewell to another great summer of horse racing. 11:30 am-10 pm - Cost $6-10.

8th - Taste of Downtown with 50 restaurants participating. 5-9 pm - Cost $30 in advance - $35 day of.

9th - Sights & Ships Sunset Cruises this cruise combines both, while throwing in spectacular bay views, an enticing menu of light bites that changes monthly and cocktail specials (Friday & Saturday only through October) 6 pm -Cost $35 - website: http://www.hornblower.com/hce/port/overview/sd+sightsips.

11th - Surf Dog-A-Thon raises funds for orphaned animals at Dog Beach in Del Mar 8 am - 3 pm. Cost: Dog Surfer Heat: $35. Doo the Dah: $35. Six-legged Package: $55. Cheering: Free.

11th-18th - Spirits of Mexico Festival showcases top agave spirits from hundreds of distillers in Old Town San Diego. 2:30 pm - 10 pm - Cost varies depending on event within festival.

16th-19th - Fall Home/Garden Show provides ideas for the home and garden. Del Mar Racetrack 11 am - 5 pm. Cost adults $8 under 12 Free Fri only Seniors $1.

17th-18th - Fleet Week Big Family Festival where the family can climb aboard US Navy ships and explore other military static displays and chat with Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Broadway Pier 10 am - 4 pm - FREE - website: http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/index.shtml.

20th - Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk will feature 11 restaurants in Pacific with offering samples of their best fair. 1221 Garnet Avenue 5-9 pm - Cost $20 - website: http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/calendar/index.php/name/Heart-of-Pacific-Beach-Restaurant-Walk/event/13871/

30th - San Diego Film Festival at Gaslamp Theater for five days of screenings, soirees, meet-and-greets and much more (thru Oct 2nd). Check times. - Cost $25 - website: http://www.sdff.org/

Be sure to spend a day at the theme parks in the area:
Sea World website: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/animals/webcams/
San Diego Zoo website: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/
Legoland website: http://www.legoland.com/