Obviously it’s still fluid and small changes will make a big difference yada yada, but with big qpf, a rapidly intensifying low, and what’s effectively a stall at our latitude—all forecasted to begin taking shape in approximately 48 hours—there is absolutely no excuse for this not to be a widespread 12+ big dog snow for interior SNE.
No, 1888 or 2013 aren’t walking through the door, and given the mediocre antecedent airmass I’m dubious of widespread 18+, but if this somehow turned into a widespread 4-8, 6-10, 8-12 type deal then it is an abject failure and unequivocally the crown jewel of one of the worst winters in recorded history relative to its potential.
No excuses away from the coast if this doesn’t cut like 12z envisioned yesterday. None.