SchaumburgStormer

I certainly understand and don’t necessarily disagree with the handling of headlines/forecast ahead of the storms arrival. I think prudent forecasting would call for not leaning on a solution that is historic and/or well on the fringes of probability. With that being said, you also cannot sit on your hands when it becomes apparent that this historic event is unfolding. Upstream obs made it fairly clear early in the morning that the low probability event was unfolding. I was getting 2+ inch per hour rates with thundersnow and near zero visibility with no headline. Roads went to shit very quickly, with the general public mostly unaware that this kind of impact was even on the table. After the death band had shifted north a bit (but still under mod-heavy snow) we get a WWA for 2-6” when central Dekalb county and areas NE already have 6” already on the ground. While I don’t envy your position, the messages seemed to vary wildly in the AFD’s leading to the event. From informative of the issues at play, to a complete downplaying of the models, it seemed like the shifts could not get on the same page. A good event to look back on and study. I would assume that the NWS is having some debriefs and discussing all sides of this and determining what can be done better next time. Your office does a great job, and we appreciate your inside info.

I think the HRRR from the night before was about spot on

Even out here, where we got nearly 8", full melt mode is on. Likely will be very little left by daybreak tomorrow.

What a freaking storm. Just got done building a snowman with my daughter and measured again. Still snowing lightly with 7.4” total thus far. Expecting a couple more tenths unless we switch to rain. During the thundersnow, I picked up nearly 2” in 20 minutes with snowballs the size of tennis balls pouring down. I will try to get a time lapse from my security cam and upload it later tonight.

HBO has taken this Game of Thrones “Winter is Coming” marketing wayyy to far.

5.8” as of 1230

In talking to some friends, no one had any idea this was coming. Most of them expected some flurries. As was stated earlier, LOT did a real terrible job outlining the risks to the general public. Even the message to those who read the AFD’s was whipping back and forth. That being said, this is an epic April event.

Was a little high, 3.6” down on the board. Concrete with much less but still covered

Quick glance out the door looks like we are approaching 4”.

Absolute crush job with TSSN. Flake clumps the size of golf balls falling with 1/8th mile vis. One of the best snowfalls I have seen in a long time.

Full blown +SN.

Absolutely ripping right now.

Nice fat flakes.

Regardless of accumulation on roads, it appears like it should be ripping for some folks.

Yeah, much like models under-doing WAA during winter storms, they always seem real eager to blast that WF north in the spring. Then we end up with 25 degree temp gradients from I-90 to I-80