Disclosed is a fan gun snowmaker that utilizes an external nucleation device to create atomized water mist that is broken apart and frozen by a transverse air jet to create frozen nuclei, or snow seed. Further, flat spray nozzles that are normally used for spray washing and power washing are used that create a flat fan spray at the opening of the fan gun, rather than typical cone-shaped sprayers. The fan spray better disperses the water molecules into the cold, ambient air, which then combine with the frozen nuclei to create snowflakes. The fan gun is portable and lightweight and has anchors at each end that also function as jacks.