This – is GREAT news! Let it snow!

“Discussion

I am going to try to keep this simple since it’s a prelim forecast for the winter and will be updated in October and December.

The basis of the forecast is on the prediction that a weak La Nina will be forming this fall and continuing through the winter. Last year, we had a strong La Nina with blocking over Greenland that lead to a very snowy winter across the Midwest and Northeast. While the pattern will be similar to last year, there will be changes in the pattern that will lead to the heavy snow areas shown on the map.

I am not convinced that blocking will be prevalent across Greenland this winter, however, with the trough axis predicted to be in the Midwest, that will lead to storms developing along the East coast and racing northeast. The cold will be back in the Appalachians, and that will lead to heavy snow in that area. The major cities will probably be fighting many mix precip storms with the snow lovers along the I-95 corridor pulling their hair over heavy snow versus ice and rain.

A storm track coming out of the Rockies will lead to storms moving through the western Great Lakes and a band of above-normal snowfall across the Midwest and western Great Lakes.

I also went with an above-normal snow area along the Front Range of the Rockies due mainly to arctic air masses coming down from Alberta.

While overall, the winter will not be extremely cold for the country, it will be cold enough for ice concerns for areas from Oklahoma to North Carolina. Fronts may have a hard time making progress into the South simply due to this summer’s heat dome hanging in across parts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The good news for that area, while above-normal temps will continue, we should see storms cutting through the southern Plains that will lead to much needed rainfall after a summer of extreme drought conditions.

The mountains in the West should see the normal amount of snow and not the extreme snow that fell last year.”

Click Here to view the original article.

Source: http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/meteomadness/story/53551/snow-forecast-for-the-winter-of-20112012.asp#.TkwI8BxnLYI.email

Facts and Statistics about Snowmobiling

• ” There are four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles. They are: Arctic Cat – headquartered in Plymouth, MN; BRP – headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec; Polaris Industries – headquartered in Medina, MN; and Yamaha Motor Corporation – headquartered in Cypress, CA.
• In 2009 there were 147,066 snowmobiles sold worldwide; 61,593 were sold in the U.S. and 49,510 were sold in Canada.
• The average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in 2009 was $8,800 (US Funds).
• There are approximately 1.65 million registered snowmobiles in the US and 765,275 registered snowmobiles in Canada.
• The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling: United States – $ 22 billion annually Canada – $ 6 billion annually Scandinavia – $1.6 billion annually
• Over 90,000 full time jobs are generated by the snowmobile industry in North America. Those jobs are involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism related businesses.
• The average age of a snowmobiler is 43 years old.
• The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $75,000.
• The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 1402 miles per year in North America.
• The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on snowmobile-related recreation.
• Approximately 88% of all active snowmobilers are male; 12% female.
• 54% of the snowmobilers usually trailer their snowmobiles to go riding.
• 46% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles.
• Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails.
• 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work, ice fishing or transportation.
• Snowmobilers spend on the average 7.2 nights per snowmobile season in a motel/resort room while snowmobiling.
• Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 million for charity during the 2008-2009 season.
• Approximately 18% of all snowmobilers are part of the Senior Circuit – 60 years or older and 37% of all snowmobilers are 50 years or older.
• There are over 225,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails in North America that have been developed by volunteer clubs working with local government and private land owners.
• There are over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and family activities.
• There are 40 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia.
• Snowmobiling is great exercise that brings people outdoors to interact with nature and each other.
• It is an invigorating sport that is great for stress release and good mental health.
• Snowmobiling is a great family lifestyle.
• It is an activity that keeps parents and kids together.
• Historically individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to snowmobile with their parents throughout their lives, sharing great experiences as a family.
• In many winter regions, snowmobiling is simply the main form of winter outdoor recreation and in some cases the main method of transportation available.
• The use of snowmobiles in National Parks is regulated by Federal Law Enforcement. The snowmobiling occurs on roads groomed and marked for snowmobiling, the same roadways used by recreational vehicles, cars, trucks and busses.
• Snowmobiles are NOT used as off-road vehicles in National Parks such as Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton.
• On U.S. National Forest Land, most of the trails used by snowmobiles are on groomed roads used by summer recreationists.
• There are also secondary and seasonal roads within the forests used by snowmobilers. These roads are groomed and marked by volunteers who work closely with the local U.S. Forest Service staff in maintaining and managing those areas.
• The manufacturers have always been actively involved in promoting safe riding behavior while snowmobiling.
• Over one million safety related brochures, decals and hundreds of thousands of posters and safety videos have been distributed free of charge to snowmobile enthusiasts throughout the world.
• Safety trainers, enforcement officers, Chambers of Commerce and more use safety materials provided by the manufacturers through the ‘Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe’ safety campaign.

Visit the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association web sites at www.snowmobile.org and www.gosnowmobiling.org for more information.”

Click Here to view the original article.

Source: http://www.snowmobile.org/pr_snowfacts.asp