Which City Will Be The 2011 – 2012 Snowiest City

Posted by Patrick on December 27, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities. Tagged: , .

The Colorado cities are still looking pretty good adding some snow with each update. Anchorage is also still adding to their snow totals to go on top of that storm they had earlier in the season. Enough to keep them on top of the Golden Snow Globe mountain. Erie, Pa a city that always has me worried jumped 19 spots to number 11 this update. They are still far from the top but a city to keep an eye on. Syracuse, the national snow champs with a population of 100,000 or more is looking at having their least snowiest December on record with just 2.2 inches to date :( . My guess is unless some snow starts falling soon a lot of cities may have their least snowiest December or top 5 on record.

That said I’m curious as to which city you think will win this seasons snow contest? Just click on the little bubble and leave a comment in this post. Do you think Anchorage will be able to hold on to the lead? Will one of the Colorado cities be the king of the snow mountain? Any chance of Syracuse, Buffalo or Rochester making a run to the top? Let us know who you think will win :)

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Have a Great Week All ;)

Point Blank Range Forecasts: Dec. 21, 2011

Posted by GSG Fantasy Snowfall on December 18, 2011
Posted in: The Golden SnowCast. Tagged: .

Before we get to the forecast, a quick reminder on what the PBR Forecast is. Basically, it involves a short term forecast for some part of the U.S. In some cases, it is one state, while in others it could involve several. It just depends on how widespread a storm could be. Typically, what I feel will happen will go under the On Target category. Bull’s Eye typically has something extra. Before the next PBR Forecast, I will take a look at how the previous forecast fared.

Kicking off this season’s Point Blank Range Forecasts, we have a potentially large storm in store for the southwestern U.S. up to the plains. So, this forecast may be one of the more widespread ones that I have done as it involves Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. With 6 states total, I’ve decided to take one city from each (Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Pueblo, Amarillo, Guymon and Wichita). I’m expecting at least 6 inches of snow for most.

Bull’s Eye: All cities listed have at least 6 inches of snow, with one getting at least a foot.
On Target: 3 or more of the cities listed have at least 6 inches of snow.
Complete Miss: 2 or fewer cities have 6 or more inches of snow.

Have a great week everyone, and if you’re in the storm’s path, be careful out there!

They Can See Snow and Russia From Their Back Yard

Posted by Patrick on December 14, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities, Anchorage Alaska Snow Info.

Anchorage Alaska continues to lead the Golden Snow Globe contest and they keep adding to their lead. The Colorado cities are hanging in there and will probably have some new snow to add the next update. Michigan is still moving also. Syracuse, the snow champs the last 2 seasons haven’t even received an inch of snow for 2011 – 2012 :( Could this be the season they go down?

I think right now I am liking the odds of one of the Colorado cities being King of the Mountain this season along with Worcester, mass has about double their average snowfall for this time in the season. I’m still not counting Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, New york or Erie, pa out yet though. Once the lake effect snow machine starts up it doesn’t take long to add a few feet to the totals. That is if the LES machine ever does start up.

I’m still hoping and counting on a white Christmas so hopefully the weather patterns will change pretty soon. How about you? Would you rather have a green or white Christmas?

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Have an Awesome Week All :)

Shot In The Dark Forecasts: December 2011

Posted by GSG Fantasy Snowfall on December 5, 2011
Posted in: The Golden SnowCast. Tagged: .

It’s that time again! Well, actually, that time was a few days ago, but after a bit of a delay, I’m finally ready for the snow season. With that comes the forecasts. First a bit of a reminder of what exactly is going on for those new to this, along with a few changes.

At times throughout the season, I will prepare different types of forecasts. There will be 10 short term forecasts (about 2-3 days) called Point Blank Range and 5 long term (about a month) called Shot In The Dark. The idea behind each forecast is to be a bit different than you’d see in most forecasts on TV. What does that mean? No waffle words like “chance of” or “likely” when I make a forecast, it will be definitive. Also, at the beginning of each following forecast, I will look back and see how the forecast fared. Each forecast will fall into one of three categories: Bull’s Eye, On Target or Complete Miss.

Now on to the changes for this season. First off, I will not be doing a season outlook. Instead, I will be doing a long term forecast for 5 months, December through April. Secondly, the two sites, Golden Snowball and Golden Snow Globe, will be kept separate. In previous years, I’d try to find something that would work for both New York State and elsewhere at the same time. More often than not, I’d only be able to have a snow forecast for one area. So this gives me more flexibility. If I need to make a GSB forecast on a Tuesday and a GSG forecast on a Friday, or if it’s weeks in between, then that would work this year. And finally, I’m doubling the points for the Shot In The Dark forecasts. So now it’s 4 points for a Bull’s Eye, 2 for On Target and 0 for a Complete Miss. The goal for the end of the season will remain the same: 1.00 average or better (it worked out that even with this change my forecasts last season didn’t mean the 1.00 mark, so that is the goal again this season).

Now that’s out of the way, it’s time for the first Shot In The Dark Forecast of the season!

Remember how the Colorado cities where nowhere to be found in the top 10 last season? So far this season, they are make up for that as three (Fort Collins, Lakewood and Denver) are currently in the top 5! This is more like what we were expecting from them! They’re off to a great start, but this is just the beginning. Can their snowfall totals double by the end of the month?

Bull’s Eye: Fort Collins, Lakewood and Denver will double their snowfall totals by the end of the month.
On Target: One or two will double their snowfall totals by the end of the month.
Complete Miss: None will double their snowfall totals by the end of the month.

Doubling snowfall totals would put Fort Collins at 57.6, Lakewood at 50.0 and Denver at 44.4.

Have a great week everyone!

Michigan Cities Climbing the Snow Mountain

Posted by Patrick on December 5, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities. Tagged: , .

I just finished a full update of all the US cities and an update on the top 10 snowiest cities in the US – Pop over 100,00 and the 2011 – 2012 snow season is starting to come together.  Well, kind of.  Last years champ Syracuse is still down toward the bottom along with several other cities that were near the top last season.

Cities from Michigan have slid toward the top since the last update.  Lansing, Michigan received enough snow to just all the way from 35 th place to the top 10 while Flint and Ann Arbor are within striking distance now of joining the top 10 snowiest cities.

New to the top ten ar Minneapolis, Minnesota, St Paul and Lansing Michigan.  Three cities dropped out of the top 10 which are Salt Lake City, Utah, Spokane, WA and Newark, NJ.  The Colorado cities are still piling on some snowfall stats and and own 3 of the top four spots ont the snow mountain.  I think all 3 of them have more than they had all of last season already :)   Anchorage is also still adding to their totals and are getting just enough snow to be King of the Snow Mountain in the Golden Snow Globe contest.

This just being the beginning of the snow season keeps me thinking this is going to be a close snow race this season with no big blowouts like in the 2010 – 2011 season.

Hey, Have a GREAT week all and let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOW!

Colorado, Washington, Minnesota & Utah This Snow Update

Posted by Patrick on November 21, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities, Colorado Snow Info. Tagged: , , , .

Colorado seems to be dominating the top 15 snowiest cities so far this season. It’s been snowing in Washington, Minnesota and Utah so they are all on the move now. Last years snow champ is finally on the snow mountain but barely :(

I think there is like 5 Colorado cities in the top 15 right now. The are Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Lakewood and Ft Collins which is in 2nd place on the snow mountain looking up at only Anchorage, Alaska. Keep in mind that last season most of the Colorado cities came in toward the bottom of the snowiest city list. With them off to a good start it’s another reason why I think this should be a close snow race this season.

A few of the other cities on the move right now are Minneapolis, Minnesota, Salt Lake City Utah and Spokane, Washington. Looking at their average snowfall for this time in the season, they should all be pretty good throwing the snowballs and beating the rest of us down the snow mountain. So far we have 36 cities with measurable snowfall for the 2011 – 2012 season and come December it should get really interesting.

Not much going on in snow champion city right now. As a matter of fact all of the Big 3 from New York are slacking. Syracuse managed to pick up just over half an inch of snow while Rochester shows 0.3 so far. Buffalo has still yet to get on the board but don’t worry about them, they always start off with something special it seems.

Warning – One of my Shameless website plugs :) This post i think I’ll push my Christmas Inflatables website. I took all of the products from something like 5 stores and have them all on one site. There are Walmart Inflatable Christmas Globes, a few Disney Christmas Inflatables and I think about 50 Christmas blowups all in all. A lot of new ones from Gemmy so Click here if you’re looking for some cool Christmas Inflatables and Blowups for your yard.

Hey Have a SUPER GREAT Week All!

Anchorage Takes the Lead in the Golden Snow Globe Contest

Posted by Patrick on November 14, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities, Anchorage Alaska Snow Info. Tagged: , , .

I was watching the weather channel and saw that Alaska was getting hit by a pretty good storm. They mentioned winds of 100 MPH and snow. I was also hearing that Colorado and a couple other states were getting some snow so figured lets do a snowfall total update. It was worth doing :)

Anchorage, Alaska jumped into 1st place and are currently the king of the snow mountain for snowiest city in the US with a population of 100,000 or more. To be honest with you when I started this contest a couple of years ago I was thinking Anchorage would be the snowiest city but it hasn’t happened yet and probably won’t. I still think Erie, pa is a city for all of us to watch out for along with some of the cities in Colorado and New York. Of course with the weather patterns always changing who knows, we may be surprised by a city from the south coastal area ;)

A little bit of shuffleing in the top 10 but not a whole lot. At least 30 of the cities have at least measuable snow now of at least 0.1. The snow champ for the last 2 years and a couple of the other snow cities that are normaly on top still are only showing just a trace. I think this is the season we have a new king of the snow mountain and it should be interesting to see which one it is at the end of the snow season.

I noticed that some traffic was coming to the site from a school. I checked it out and it’s an assignment for the children & one question is to find out which of the cities we have listed here has the the most snow. I started thinking I better contact the teacher because it looks like the assignment has a date range between Nov. 7th – 18th. If that’s the case the students that got an early start will have one answer an the students that got a late start, students like I was will have another answer :) Anyways, there isn’t a school name so there really isn’t a way to contact them. Good Luck to the students though :( I’m sure the teacher will know that 2 different cities led so both would be right.

Hey, if ya need a new 2012 calendar we just happen to have them :)   Click here for new calendars for 2012 .  We also have 2012 almanac calendars!

Have a Super Snowy Week All!!!

1st Update in the National Snow Contest

Posted by Patrick on October 31, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities. Tagged: , , , .

Is it me or is it wayyyy too early for the national snow contest to begin? Well it has and we have several unlikely cities in the top 10 so far. A couple of them with a good jump start on the 2011 – 2012 snow contest. A few that may be tough to catch in the race to the top of the snow mountain.

If you’re a UCONN fan then you should be happy that a city from your state is in the lead.  The bad thing is with the snow this early, it’s normally the heavy stuff which it is and there are lots of power outages.  Hopefully power is restored ASAP to all of those without.

The Colorado cities were a let down to say the least in last years Golden Snow Globe contest but the chance are they probably started the contest off first this season :) It looks like they are gonna be in the contest this season already having almost half the snowfall they received for the entire last snow season.

I’m guessing this is going to be a good national snow race between the big cities with a population of 100,000 or more this season. When New York City (Central Park) starts off the season with more snow than the defending 2 time champs Syracuse, NY it has to be a great contest this season. Like I mentioned, this is early for most cities so the updates will be hit and miss until we get into the thick of snow.

New to the site is the look and we added the last two seasons snow stats in the menu up above. I’m still working on a picture gallery where if all goes good you will be able to upload your snow pictures to the site to be added to a snow gallery. Still a few bugs to work out with that :(

Enough said for now and have a GREAT snow season all you sledders and skiers.

Let the National Snow Games Begin

Posted by Patrick on October 30, 2011
Posted in: All US Snow Cities.

Well I don’t know about you but to me it seems kind of early for a lot of the golden snow globe cities to be getting snow. Let the national snow race begin and with the way it’s starting it should be a good snow race at that. Keep in mind that we had to move the site over to a new server so there are probably (ARE) a few bugs that need to be worked out still.

Right now as I type a storm is still going up the east coast. Nothing here in Syracuse, last years national snow champs with a population of 100,000 or more. But there are several cities that have received snow this season so it’s time to get this thing snowballing. Just think that NYC is beating most of us right now and hopefully sometime tomorrow I can get the first update of the season posted :) It will be interesting to see who is in the lead at the beginning of the 2011 – 2012 golden snow globe contest.

Have a Great winter all and stay safe! If ya see snow – Drive slow! Unless you’re on a sled of course ;)

Shot In The Dark Forecasts: Winter 2011 Wrap Up

Posted by GSG Fantasy Snowfall on May 29, 2011
Posted in: The Golden SnowCast. Tagged: .

Yes, I know, it’s the end of May, not really time to be thinking about snow right now. That’s why now is the perfect time to have the SITD Wrap Up!

First up is the April forecast, which involved the ranking of the Top 5. Below is their ranking, with my predicted placement in parenthesis.

1. Syracuse, NY (1)
2. Rochester, NY (2)
3. Buffalo, NY (4)
4. Erie, PA (5)
5. South Bend, IN (3)

Bull’s Eye: All of the Top 5 will be in the same positions at the end of April.
On Target: Three of the Top 5 will be in the same positions at the end of April.
Complete Miss: Two or fewer of the Top 5 will be in the same positions at the end of April.

Syracuse and Rochester were the only ones that ended up in the positions that the were when the forecast was made. As a result, this was a Complete Miss.

Finally, it’s the Winter outlook, which was made at the beginning of January. It involved the Colorado cities and the Top 10. Here is a look at the final Top 10, set on May 15th.

1. Syracuse, NY
2. Rochester, NY
3. Buffalo, NY
4. Erie, PA
5. South Bend, IN
6. St. Paul, MN
7. Worcester, MA
8. Green Bay, WI
9. Minneapolis, MN
10. Hartford, CT

Bull’s Eye: At least one major Colorado city will be in the top 5 in mid May.
On Target: At least one major Colorado city will be in the top 10 in mid May.
Complete Miss: All major Colorado cities are out of the top 10 in mid May.

None of the Colorado cities are in the Top 10, so this is a Complete Miss. The highest placed Colorado city ended up being Lakewood, finishing 48th, a long ways away from the Top 10.

Here are the final results, including both GSB and GSG.

Shot In The Dark Forecasts Results
Region Bull’s Eye On Target Complete Miss Points
Average: 0.90
GSB 3 0 2 6
GSG 1 1 3 3
Total 2 1 3 9

Unfortunately, these two Complete Miss forecasts meant I could not reach my 1.00 goal. The end of season mark is 0.90, the same as the Point Blank Range! This time, it was the GSG forecasts that let me down, as only one forecast was a Bull’s Eye while three were of the Complete Miss category. On the GSB side, three were Bull’s Eyes and two were Complete Misses.

So, the goal for next season will be the same this one, 1.00 or better.

Speaking of next season, I have some changes in mind that I’d like to get for the 2011-12 snow season. First and foremost, I got off to a late start, so I want to get the forecasts started in December and go through March instead of January through April like I did this season. Another idea floating around in my head is to have some sort of video forecast with these, instead of just text. I’ll have to play around with that during the off season. If I can get it to work, it’ll be here next season, if not, then it won’t. I don’t want to change it from text to video mid-season. All this been said, I feel like the current forecast structure is a keeper, so I will not be changing it next season.

Enjoy the off season everyone!