models, model, models! so many models!
eons ago there were two models that were the go to models. I think it was the AVN and the Eta model. I remember folks talking about the E/A rule (i believe it was called). If these two models agreed on snow, then it was a sure bet.
Later the models changed and increased in number, but when the Euro came to America, it rapidly took over the kingship of models to trust most.
Now with so many models printing out such a variety of possibilities when it comes to snow in a given area, I've had to put all my chips into the Ji rule: whichever model shows the least amount of snow is the one that verifies. I find if I put my faith in the snowless model, it usually verifies, and if not, I get the excitement of a surprise snow! According to the Ji rule, I should expect no snow for the next two storms, despite the fact that some of the majors are showing some snow for my area just north of Baltimore. Going with the least snow solution is depressing, but there is the thrill of a surprise, if indeed, the least snowy model is wrong and we get a decent snow. Hate to say it, but Ji is becoming my HM! He will never, ever take the place of usetobe, however. usetobe is always the EF Hutton of this board. When he says its gonna snow, it snows!
All that said, my faith in the flakes/forecasts really rests in the many mets. who post on this board. Their insight, thoughts and ways of understanding the synoptics and interpret the models is really of extreme value. What a blessing it is to be able to learn from so many trained mets., forecasters, and expert teachers! And if I am too old to learn it, I just appreciate the knowledge shared by our experts!! Keep on doing what you do so well!!! There will always be onlookers (like me) who will gain from your insight.