Where's The Snow Joe?

Wow... Depressing is the key word for Buffalo's snowfall so far this season. While the Southern Tier of WNY has seen near record November snowfall, Buffalo only has a lousy 6 inches to show, most of which has been bursts of lake effect off Lake Ontario. Usually November brings storm tracks that tend to have west - southwest flows when the cold air surges down, however this year has seen an unusually higher number of early season storms brining in more late winter northwest flows which has benifited the other cities early in this year's contest. All I can say is Buffalo better get in gear and quick! Lake Erie is already down to 40 degrees, 4 degrees below average and if this cold weather continues to dominate it won't be much longer before the lake starts to ice up early this year.

As depressing as this year has been I've been seeing a good deal of snow now that I am working down in Springville this year, about 30 miles south of Buffalo. We've already seen a good 30 inches so far. Amazing how I can leave my house in the morning looking at green grass and a 25 minute drive down the road can lead me to 2 foot deep snow.

Still I am rather concerned for Buffalo as if things don't change we could be looking at a snow, well more of a lack of snow.. disaster this season. I know it's early but I might have to schedule an emergency snow dance ASAP.

Enter the Newx Forecasts Snowfall Contest

Every year http://www.newx-forecasts.com/ has a snowfall and storm contest based on snow totals for several different cities. It's a pretty cool contest and it's free to join. Unlike here they actually give away prizes ;)

I did it last year and with my usual expert forecasting skills placed close to the bottom of the bunch. Go Figure huh. Anyways like I said it's a fun contest to help pass the winter by and they also have several single storm contests, normally when a Nor Easter is brewing throughout the season.

You can read the rules at http://www.newx-forecasts.com/#RULES and also join the 8th annual contest there. They don't spam and the only emails you get is to let you know there is a contest going on if the possibility of a storm coming exists.

Have fun and Good Luck. You must enter your city snowfall estimates no later than 11:59 PM tomorrow, 11/30/08.

Thanksgiving Day Sales Black Friday Specials and Cyber Monday Deals

First and Foremost Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! If your an online shopper who hates the long lines and the crowds like myself there are plenty of Thanksgiving day sales, black Friday specials and cyber Monday deals below worth checking out.. Snow wise Binghamton continues it's quest for the king of the snow hill and Buffalo and Rochester also added to their snow totals. It's a tight race that's getting tighter each day. Here is hoping everyone has a Great Thanksgiving and that you have plenty to be thankful for ;)

Current Thanksgiving Day Sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Specials!

It's that time of the Christmas season again where my email is getting pounded with deals, sales and coupons from merchants that I am affiliated with in my real job. They offer me tons of Christmas specials to pass along to my visitors to my on line sites which would be you of course. With the way the economy is most likely your like I am looking for the deals that are out there and this year it seems the sales have started earlier than normal and some of the prices seem better than ever also.

Well, here we go and for the next hour or two I'll be updating the Christmas sales page almost by the minute so just hit your refresh button to see what we are adding and happy online shopping.

Click Here for the Current Thanksgiving Day Sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Specials!

Anyways I am going to just throw up the deals that come in as they come in thru the weekend and all through the Christmas sale season so whether your looking for deals on toys, electronics, clothing and plus size clothing, shoes and winter boots or whatever you might want to book mark this page as we keep adding on the new deals. Don't look for pretty because this post will look messy as the online Christmas specials get sent to me from merchants and stores both big and small.

Thanksgiving Day Specials and Black Friday Sale at Walmart

Electronics, Toys and More on sale at Walmart

 

All the Christmas Sales and Specials!

Binghamton and Rochester May Touch This

Sean wrote a blog yesterday about how wimpy of a snow season we had last season that Burlington Vermont had more snow than Syracuse did which means they had more snow than all of the Golden Snowball cities did. I've mentioned several times how I appreciate Sean's skills at journalism and he has a gazillion awards to prove it. Anyways with his normal style and his pride in our contest and more so in the snow that Syracuse gets. Sean pretty much put out the challenge to any big city in the United States and better yet to North America with a few words and just by posting a video of MC Hammer in the post he made. I love It! Check it out at http://www.syracuse.com/kirst/ . Of course now the songa has been stuck in my head since yesterday. After watching Syracuse beat #18 Florida last night as I sang the song to myself I'm hoping I will be singing it again tonight as we take on Kansas. Da,na,na,na - na,na-na,na Can't Touch This, da,na,na,na -. OK, I'm sure you all get the point ;)

We may have a problem though because it's looking like Binghamton and Rochester aren't even close to backing off of the hopes to dethrone Syracuse to win the trophy of all trophy's, the Golden Snowball Trophy which the last I heard has been sitting in Dennis Brogan's office for the last several years. Ever since A-1 trophy donated it when the contest was resurrected again. By now Dennis has probably gotten so fond of it he probably has it by his night stand at home :)

Anyways while some of us weren't paying attention yesterday Rochester snuck in 1.5 inches of snow and Binghamton slipped in 3.4 inches of white gold to jump into second place. Can't Touch this. Oh they do want to touch this, the GSB trophy that is and with the start we have had so far in November I think the golden snowball award will be up for grabs for any of the cities. Well at least 4 of them anyways and looking at the stats with all of us over last seasons totals already I think this will go right down to the last snow flake again. Just like last season did.

For you snow haters out there (hard to believe any exist) don't be blaming me on this early snow this season. I haven't done a snow dance and I don't think anyone else has which leaves only one other person to blame. That would be NYCO!!! Nyco better know as Ellen I believe is the caretaker of the Snow God and she mentioned that the Snow God has already been awoken from his/her spring and summer hibernation which was on October 28th. I wonder if Ellen got a new sled, skis or something to perform this earlier than normal awakening of the Almighty Snow God? Check out NYCO's site at http://www.twentyfour01.com/nyco/

Have a Great Day Everyone and take it slow.

Syracuse Snowballs Their Way Into First Place

First off! Has anyone seen the General around lately?

Syracuse picked up a total of 5.7 inches yesterday to slip past Rochester and take the lead for the first time this season. Rochester picked up 1.2 inches of snow and Binghamton added another 4 tenths of an inch. Nothing but a trace for buffalo and zip for Albany. Buffalo's stats really surprised me because looking at the radars yesterday it looked like they were getting at least some snow showers from Lake Ontario. Yes lake Ontario! Right now it looks like Binghamton has a couple of snow bands working for them so we all better keep an eye on them.

It's soft, it's white, it's fluffy and it's fun to play in. That says it all and that's what a kid had to say about the snow when interviewed on the Weather Channel yesterday as he was enjoying a day off from school which I forget which state he was in. I love it.

OK, most likely Syracuse stats aren't showing for overnight so there may be a few more inches to add to their totals. Syracuse and Binghamton's nightly reports normally come out around 1:00 AM - 1:30 AM so Binghamton may also have more to add for the overnight. Buffalo and Rochester's totals come out around 4:30am. Albany's stats, well it's Albany, do we really care??? Maybe they will at least have the courtesy to get on the snow board before the season is over.

The sun was out this morning but that didn't last long. It's just starting to snow again here in DaCuse. I shoveled a couple of times last night just to keep up with it in case we got pounded with snow. Once before the Syracuse - Oakland basketball game and then at halftime. Speaking of the SU orange, what a game they played last night coming out with a victory and looking good doing it. They played team ball last night and it showed. Some of the new players most likely will see some playing time this season and Coach B should be pretty excited about being at least 8 - 9 players deep this season compared to having to deal with the injuries last season. The team played great defense thru most of the game and now all we need is for Rautins needs to get his shot on which he will and I think we will be all set for an awesome season.

As for parking in the garage I finally remembered to do it with this recent snowfall. No doubt it is nice in the mornings when I take my son to work not having to clean the car off but it dawned on me as I was shoveling last night. My driveway just got bigger with the car not there to block some of the snow. It's worth it though because it saves me a lot of time and the car is much warmer in the garage than being outside.

Hey, have a Great Weekend All!

Lake Effect Snow Means Snow Guesstimate Time

Updated 11/21 - Rochester sleds into first place in it's quest to dethrone the defending champions, Syracuse. Binghamton who has been leading so far this season dropped down to third place and Syracuse did a switch-a-roo with Buffalo with Buffalo now dropping all the way to fourth place in the 2008 - 2009 snow race.

The big question is you may ask? OK you may not ask so I will is how long will this lineup last. I don't think for too long because with the lake effect snow in the forecast the cities are bound to change spots again. Syracuse seems to be in for a direct hit if NOAA's forecast is right and there will definitely be snow in the Buffalo area most likely south in the normal cities that get blasted Olean and Jamestown but if Buffalo can find a way to get into the path they may make out. Rochester I think is going to be either a hit or miss being just on the edge of the lake Ontario LES so if it stays west enough they may have a shot. If this is going to be as intense as the pros are thinking it may be it should reach far enough for Bingo to come up with some respectable numbers. As for Albany, hopefully they will at least get on the board. Enough said about them.

Remember we are clueless here at GSB so check with your favorite weather sources for your real forecasts and the snow that's on it's way should/will be worth keeping an eye on as it intensifies. Hopefully after all of you are safe at home from work and school. Have a super snowy Friday All!


11/20 - First off look for a lead change come tomorrow morning with either Rochester or Buffalo on top. At last check Rochester is leading but Buffalo may make some gains overnight.

Lake effect snow is in the forecast for several of the golden snowball cities which can only mean one thing. It's time for the first snow guesstimate of the season with normal prize of absolutely nothing going to the winner. Yeah, it doesn't get any cheaper than it does here at goldensnowball.com does it ;)

A good part of Central New York is under a lake effect snow watch and if we are lucky after everyone is home from work tomorrow it will turn into a snow warning. Unfortunately it's probably going to turn into a warning before then. Parts of western NY are already under a snow warning and hopefully Buffalo is/will be part of it so it will get interesting as the next couple of days go by to see which city comes out on top. From what NOAA is saying this will most likely be a 3 day event starting sometime Fri, Sat and into Sunday morning perhaps.

The National Weather Service Current Watches and Snow Warnings

Time for the snow guesstimate game which is simple and we will make the time period from 12:01 AM Friday (Midnight Tonight) to midnight Sunday night. Deadline to get your guesstimate in is by 4:00 PM tomorrow (Friday) in order to eligible to win the prize of Absolutely Nothing. Just post your snowfall estimates in the comments area and I'll go first and you know I always go with high wishful totals ;)

Syracuse - 15.5
Buffalo - 13 (will probably get over 2 feet)
Binghamton - 9
Rochester - 8
Albany - 3.5

Of course if this season goes like last season did we'll all probably get a couple of inches. Good Luck and Have a Great Day and take it slow on the roads. Snow Means Slow unless your on a sled of course.

Binghamton Adds to Snow Totals and Snow Cams

Binghamton added a couple more tenths of an inch to their snow total since yesterday and the chance are that most of the Golden Snowball cities will have something to add by come tomorrow. Syracuse had a couple of snow showers pass through but it has pretty much stopped snowing for now anyways. Looking at the radar a few minutes ago it looks like most of the snow in the Buffalo area is staying just to the south of them. That always seems to be the case. The band of snow that was in the Syracuse area looks like it shifted south more and may even be breaking up but it looks like some bands are trying to get going down to the south so Bingo might be able to add to their lead if it's snow. GO BINGHAMTON!!! It's tough to tell what's going on in The Rock! Rochester looks like they are getting something. Maybe ZR or someone else from the Rochester area can give us an update as to whether it's snowing there or not.

As usual the heavy stuff fell up North in the Fulton and Pulaski area along with some snow in Oswego. I just checked out the Suny Oswego snow cam and it was a mix of clouds and blue skies with snow on the ground. Syracuse.com has a couple of pictures of the snow in Pulaski and Fulton on their site at Syracuse.com I'm hoping that things shift from the south to the north a little bit so that Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester can add on to the totals.

Below is a repost of all the snow cams that we posted last season. I haven't checked them all yet but hopefully they are all still online.

Check out the cam at http://www.northernchateau.com/webcam.html

The Suny Owsego Snow Cam

Below are some more web cams in the NY area and worth checking out to see if it's snowing or not. One is from one of our forum members CNYWeather's house and he has live streaming video on his site which he is still tweaking so bear with him as he fine tunes it. Tony, his real name is from the West Moreland area and he also has a 24 hour time lapse video which is pretty cool. You can check out the weather at http://www.cnyweather.com/webcam.php and give the live cam a shot to see if it's working at http://www.cnyweather.com/livecam.php . The rest of the webcams are below which were posted by ZR800 and CNYweather from the forum. Some are streaming live and some are still frames which are updated frequently.

Here is a Downtown Syracuse cam for ya's at Clinton Square. http://www.syracuse.com/clintoncam/

http://www.syracuse.com/destinycam/ Syracuse

http://www.northernchateau.com/webcam.html Tug Hill Area

http://www.wxnation.com/buffalo/ (Scroll down page) Has a bunch of web cams from the Buffalo area.

http://www.instacam.com/search.asp?searchbox=ny&searchtype=state

http://24.97.183.50/index.html Has a great live feed from Oswego and right now you can watch them setting up the Christmas tree.

http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/index.html?state=NY A List of Cams

http://home.rochester.rr.com/rbowen2/ The Adirondack's I believe.

http://webcams.holidayvalley.com/

http://northern-nys.com/webcams.htm


As Always Drive Careful this Winter and remember, Snow Means Slow! Have a Super Monday All!

The Golden Snowball Sissy Man Just Got Sissier

First off what a super day it was with the sun shining and the temperatures hitting the 60's. Unfortunately it's looking like things are going to go down hill from here with probably a rainy day tomorrow for most of us with the temps in the 50's. After tomorrow we are probably going to be seeing the Naughty S word in the forecast for several days so prepare yourself because I think it's getting closer and closer to that time of the year where summer was just a memory of the past.

As for the sissyman getting sissier, to be honest I'm kind of liking it. Shane, my oldest son and myself, now an official sissyman cleaned out the garage last Sunday with one purpose in mind. So Dad can for the first time ever park the car in the garage this winter. The words cleaning, neat, organized have never, ever, ever been associated with me which kind of makes it kind of fun watching people walk into the garage for the first time since we've cleaned it out. Just the dumbfounded and confused looks on the faces of friends (OK, Friend, I'm exaggerating a little) and family like they are at the wrong house just may turn me into a clean freak for the enjoyment of it! NOT!

The thing is I was smiling the whole time just thinking how nice it is going to be to go out and start the car and go. Never mind the 5 - 10 minutes of cleaning off the car every time I head out to run to the store or take one of my kids somewhere, sometimes several times a day. No more cleaning off the car after a decent snowfall before I shovel and then having to shovel the extra snow that was just cleaned off the car. No more! Wait it gets even better. Really!

When my Dad past away several years ago I moved in with Mom to help out. Yeah, now you know! Not only am I a Sissy Man but I'm a Mommas boy also ;) She was still driving at the time and she actually parked in the garage back then. There are dents on the garage siding to prove it. Many as a matter of fact (shhh). We had an electric garage door installed to make it easier for her. You know just click the button and the door opens and drive right in. Well she hasn't driven in several years now that she is getting up there in age and the door opener hasn't been seen ever since. This week part of the sissymans plan was to try and track down that remote to open the garage door so that I didn't have to actually get out of the car, open the door and then get back int he car and drive it in. Well after an intensive search and I really do mean intensive search with a tom of cuss words to go along with it I finally found one of the remotes. I won't get into the details about my victory dance once I found the remote but lets just say the rugged snow loving sissy man went to town. The garage is cleared out, the car actually fits in it and as any guy can relate to, I have a remote by my side now int the car.

Now I know most of you have probably had this what I call luxury for years without even thinking about it but to me part of the fun of winter was always cleaning the car off, shoveling around it, sometimes having to scrape the car (not so much Fun) while it was warming up. Now that I have turned sissier than I was the fun part will be trying not to put as many dents in the siding on the garage as Mom did.

The big question now is can I get even sissier. Maybe! I'm trying to decide what I want from Santa Claus this year and so far it's down to either a wii game system or an automatic car starter. The man in me so far is leaning to the Wii so maybe there is hope for me still ;)

Buffalo Jumps Into 2nd!

Binghamton and Buffalo continue to add to their early season snowfall totals after some lake effect this past weekend. You just have to love this time of year 70 degrees one day and snowing the next! Even though Pat is a bit behind on the leaderboard the biggest jump is Buffalo taking over 2nd place from Syracuse.

Buffalo picked up 1.2 inches on Sunday while Binghamton added 0.3 inches. The current leaderboard is...

Binghamton - 3.1
Buffalo - 1.3
Syracuse - 0.6
Rochester - 0.1
Albany - Trace

Should be a seasonable week weather wise with some rain towards the weekend, however some signs are pointing towards more snow heading into early next week. It's only a matter of time before the cities really start adding up the inches!

Young Voters Turning Out to Vote?

Happy 2008 Presidential Election Day All!!! Today is the big day to get out and vote and if the national trend follows my families trend 2 out of 3 young voters will be voting. Three out of three would have been better but for some reason my oldest doesn't seem to get what it means to have the right to vote. The right to decide who will lead the country the next 4 years. Don't worry he heard an earful on the way to work this morning and I think it may have sunk in.

Need to find out if your registered to vote? Go to https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx

As for my other 2 children both of them called last night knowing Dad stays up late working. My daughter called at 11:00 pm with the question "Dad, where do I vote tomorrow"?. She goes to SUNY Oswego and was making the trip back here to vote and then heading to Norwich where her boyfriend is registered to vote and then back to Oswego so I'm proud of the both her and Justin because it will take some effort with all the driving they will be doing to get out and vote but both are excited about it being their first time to be old enough to vote for the President. I did explain some of the part about absentee voting to her for the future elections...

At 11:30 pm the phone rings again with my youngest son asking "Dad, where do I vote tomorrow and how do I do it"? I told Chris where he votes and told him I will go with him when he is done with his classes at OCC. He also is excited about being able to vote for the first time in his life.

He was pretty sure that he registered to vote but had a little doubt that maybe he wasn't. One of the good things about technology and the internet is that you can actually go online and look to see if you are registered and where your voting station is. I already took my 78 year old mother to vote and while I was there voting myself checked to see if he was registered and indeed he was so I'll be heading back with him later to explain how it works.

If your not sure where you are suppose to vote or may be wondering if you are registered to vote I highly recommend you look it up at

https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/votersearch.aspx

This is for New York voters and all you have to do is type in your name, age, county, zip code and birth date and it will let you know if you are registered and what they have down for your polling station. Enough said and no matter your party or who you are voting for, just take the time and do it. Good Luck to all of us for a better 4 years ahead.

Happy Election Day All!!!