Thank you for the kind words. I am going to answer your questions one by one.
I do all maps manually. I use local PNS statements from the 3 FOs that cover CT. I go through them by hand, trying my best to discount ones that have times when i know it was still snowing (accumulating snow) in that location, ones that seem off or ones that are from the DOT. I also use reports from AMWX and CoCoRaHs. As well as other sources if possible, local media/news.
I use Adobe Photoshop to do all my maps. I found a base image of CT online and created a template for forecast maps and totals maps. I had no idea how to use Photoshop when i first got into it in 2014 but i learned on my own through trial and error and watching youtube tutorial videos. It is NOT an easy program to work with it at all. It's not what you would call user-friendly or intuitive. PS definitely takes some time to get down the basics but over the years i feel i've become pretty good with it.
I'm not looking to create any pre 1993 maps, so i'm good on that thanks. The only map i've ever considering doing was 1888. Your post got me thinking so i just went ahead and did it. Posted below ...