ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan’s Weather Dance game during the NCAA college basketball tournaments gives armchair forecasters a chance to shine.

Weather Dance, based on teams in the men’s and women’s tournaments, lets players predict which team’s city will be hotter or colder on game day in each round of the Big Dance.

Beginning March 17, players can make their forecasts at the Weather Dance Web site at: www.weatherdance.org. The site will be updated with cities promptly after NCAA seeding announcements. Team selection occurs March 16 for men and March 17 for women. First round Weather Dance selections must be entered by 11:59 p.m. EST March 19.

Players can register now and receive periodic reminders as the game progresses.

“Officially, Weather Dance began as a class project to get students involved in weather forecasting, but we kept it around because it got popular. People think they can do better forecasting than the meteorologists. Well, here’s their shot!” said Perry Samson, Weather Dance creator and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.

This is the third year for the game. Last year more than 2,000 people played. Most play merely for the thrill. But many science teachers involve their classes as part of meteorology units. The winning teacher will receive an invitation and $500 to join the Texas Tech/University of Michigan Storm Chasing team this spring for a day of tornado chasing.

Other winners will receive an umbrella or a copy of the book “Extreme Weather,” by Christopher C. Burt.

Weather DancePerry Samson