Tag Archive for: west

The West Is About to Get Blasted With Snow

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A series of storms could make a dent in the snow drought that has gripped the West to start winter. While they won’t end the longer-term megadrought by any means, they at least should get ski lifts turning, provide some nourishment to parched soils, and up the odds of a White Christmas.

Winter storm watches and warnings stretch from Arizona to Minnesota as a powerful system is set to streak across the region. The snow began on Thursday and will intensify on Friday, fed by moisture from the Pacific and a dip in the jet stream that has sent storms screaming into the Pacific Northwest so far this winter.

In the mountains of Colorado, up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow could fall. Snow is also expected in Denver. The city broke an 87-year-old record for the latest first snowfall in November. Snow could also dust other locations currently lacking, including the mountains near Salt Lake City and the Sierra Nevada in California. Those locations will likely see lighter totals than Colorado, but any snow there is good snow.

The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous travel conditions, saying that once the storm hits the Plains driving “could be very difficult to impossible” due to snow cover. In parts of Colorado, the agency also issued avalanche warnings. “Heavy snow and strong winds will result in numerous natural avalanches on Thursday night,” forecasters wrote. “Very dangerous avalanche conditions continue into Friday with human-triggered avalanches very likely.”

Dangerous conditions aside, the storm will be a relief in terms of bringing needed moisture to the region. While the Pacific Northwest has received a fair share of precipitation since the wet season began last month, the rest of the West hasn’t been so lucky. Comparing this year to 2020 — which was a roughly average year for Colorado and some parts of the interior West — shows a huge early-season deficit. Satellite imagery shows mountain peaks with patchy coverage and valleys with at least a dusting usually on the ground are completely bare. Ski areas have been hit hard as well, only opening runs where snowmaking equipment is in place.

Sentinel-2 satellite images showing Taos Ski Valley in December 2020 (heavy snow cover) and December 2021 (largely bare). (Gif: Brian Kahn/Sentinel Hub)Sentinel-2 satellite images showing Taos Ski Valley…

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West African fish meal exports undermine food security: Greenpeace

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Rising exports of fish meal and fish oil from West Africa to Europe and Asia are depriving millions of Africans of food, Greenpeace said Tuesday. 

In a report, the environmental group said that over half a million tonnes of fish used to produce fish meal and fish oil in the poor region could feed some 33 million people instead. 

Fish meal is made in factories dotted along the West African coast and is predominantly sold as feed for fish farms in the developed world. Fish oil serves a similar purpose. 

Much of West Africa’s fishing grounds are already overexploited and illegal fishing is a persistent problem.

Greenpeace said West Africa’s trade in fish meal and fish oil had grown tenfold between 2010 and 2019 — from about 13,000 tonnes to over 170,000 tonnes. 

Most fish oil and meal is exported to Europe and Asia.

The report cited “severe consequences for local populations”, explaining that the industry undermined food security across Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, and Burkina Faso.  

The main species used in the industry are small fish such as sardinella and bonga, which Greenpeace said constitute a vital source of animal protein for many in the region.

The group recommended that governments phase out fish oil and meal production from fish fit for human consumption, among other measures.  

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The Citadel faces West Point, Annapolis and other military schools in NSA cyber challenge | Military Digest

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The Citadel began a three-day competition on April 8 hosted by the National Security Agency that pits the country’s military colleges and service academies against each other in intense cyber security simulations. 

The NSA’s National Cyber Exercise allows future service members and cadets to experience real-life examples of digital problems the military faces. This marks the first year The Citadel has been invited to compete for the title and trophy. 



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At least 36 cadets are participating in the event. It involves exercises on forensics, cyber policy, cryptography and reverse engineering, and ends with a real-world defense challenge where they have to detect and protect a network system from hackers. 

The events take place over the course of three days and range anywhere from eight to 12 hours in length. 

“Through NCX, NSA helps to educate, train and test the cyber skills of U.S. service academy cadets and midshipmen, as well as teams from the senior military colleges and select NSA employees,” Diane Janosek, Commandant of NSA’s National Cryptologic School, said in a statement. 

“NSA has an incentive to ensure the nation has a competent cyber-smart workforce,” she added.



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In recent years, the U.S. military and the federal government have put more emphasis on training young service members to combat increasing cyber threats from terrorists and other countries. 

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Security Guard Critically Injured After West Town Shooting, Police Say – NBC Chicago

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A 22-year-old security guard is in critical condition after he was shot while reporting to work in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood on Sunday morning.

According to Chicago police, the man was reporting to work in the 100 block of South Western Avenue at approximately 6:21 a.m. when several men walked up to him and attempted to rob him.

The individuals then opened fire, striking the man in his upper right thigh and his lower leg. The guard returned fire, but it’s unclear whether anyone was hit by the gunfire.

The security guard was taken to a local hospital, where he was initially reported to be in critical condition, police said.

An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

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