2008's "early fluke" fire season

GSSP chooses its date each year to coincide with new moon between mid-June and mid-July. Although this means short nights, it also avoids best as possible several undesirable possibilities.

Prior to mid-June, there is a much greater chance of cold weather, rainstorms, and even snow at the elevation of GSSP. Elevation means greater transparency, and cooler temperatures during the hottest months of the year.

After mid-July, California is subject to high temperatures that make camping uncomfortable, and lightning fires spawned generally by monsoonal conditions circulating in from Arizona, eastern Mexico and the Gulf. California's fire season typically begins in late July and can continue into October.

In 2008, California experienced a very early and incredibly intense fire season, beginning about June 20th, when lightning storms swept the state and ignited thousands of fires. In over 15 years of our star parties, we had never experienced such an unusual fire season, nor do we expect to again. We will continue to hold GSSP over the most favorable new moon period, in order to maximize our chances for excellent conditions.