Good to see so many reputable sources so bullish with their opening predictions. I was shocked to see CTP's initial map. Just wow. I love where we sit and see no way we can't win big with what we have diving into this airmass.
With that said, there's one small thing I can't totally discount, and that is how many times over the years I've seen occasions where the globals, even in their wheelhouse range, aren't able to pick up on the extent of the intrusion of sneaky warm layers aloft. Then we get inside of like 36-48 hours and the NAM, HRRR, and the gang start to show sleet in places you'd never expect it. Next thing you know, during the height of the storm we're "tainting" as @pasnownut would say, and what was thought to be an epic storm turns into just a nice storm. I just can't shake that thought given some of the globals are already showing it nearby, which is crazy to have to worry about when we're talking about temps in the teens for most of the duration of the event. I know we're still looking at a beautiful front-end thump but I'll be keeping a close eye on the Mesos as they come into range. Let's keep that primary Low at bay, shall we. Despite all that, let's pile it up boys! Next stop, 18z NAM. Onward.