Signs of fall are appearing, and soon it will be winter! We'd like to know your guess at when you expect the first 2.5 cm (that's an inch) of snow to accumulate after October 1, 2011 at the official observing station for Rapid City, South Dakota (at the National Weather Service office on Star Village Hill). 

Two entries will win a $25 gift card. Entries will be awarded according to two age brackets: those under 18 and those 18 and older. In the event of a tie on the correct date and time, winner will be determined by a drawing. You are invited to enter if you are living within a 100-mile radius of Rapid City, SD. Please limit your entries to one per person.

You may enter by sending an e-mail to snowcontest@sdsmt.edu, or by mailing your entry to "Snow Contest", c/o Department of Atmospheric Sciences, SDSM&T, 501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.

Your entry must include the following information to be eligible to win:

• Name
• Department (for SDSM&T faculty/staff/students) or Address (area residents)
• Telephone number 
• Date and time of day (please remember to include an exact time with hour and minute, and indicate a.m. or p.m.)
• Age group (just state “under 18” or “18 and older”)