Lessons From January 24-26th Winter Storm

[SnowenOutThere]

Hi all, I think an important part of big east coast snowstorms for us weather nerds is to do a post storm analysis of what we both individually and communally can do differently next time to create a better experience for both ourselves and each other. Additionally, this isn't supposed to be a strictly what went right or what went wrong thread; I think we all know the rough details of how our setup shifted due to interactions with the NS, PV, and 50/50 low. Though, that type of analysis is also more than welcome. 

Personally, this storm taught me a lot both from analyzing our atmosphere and how mailable it can be alongside allowing myself to set better expectations of storms in the future. Additionally, it reinforced to me that storms, the atmosphere, etc, does not owe us anything, instead it simply just is what it is. My dad compared it to sports; you can analyze it, predict it, watch it happen, but ultimately all of that is independent from what will occur. It's pointless to spend hours trying to will a storm north/south/east/west in a vain attempt to change an outcome that we simply cannot know. In the future I think its just not enjoyable personally to spend so much time tracking a storm like last weeks, at least from so far in the future, maybe within 2-3 days before the event its worthwhile but even then this previous storm showed how things can keep adjusting till the final day. In some ways it did remind me of our legendary Feb 20th bust of last year but less complete; though now between those two events it clear to see it simply is what it is and that is okay. So, in the future to keep both myself and this forum a happier place I'll prob aim to make less frequent, though hopefully higher quality, contributions.

Finally, while I spent the last paragraph more or less acting like this storm broke my spirit that's not the case! I thoroughly enjoyed this storm! If anything, it was me trying to express how I can best a storm in the future as I generally find storms to be awesome when they catch me off guard to some extent. For example, last week I got a mini snowstorm that no model had and it will be a highlight of this winter! So I think for me that's what I want to replicate. Of course, I also like just being out in the snow/sleet and taking pictures, watching people deal with it, and seeing a different world. This storm gets points for all three of those as it was really quite neat, though just partially hurt (for me) due to expectations I shouldn't have had. 

Anyways, here are my favorite pictures from the storm!

[Terpeast]

Thanks for sharing. Reflections like these are what makes you a better meteorologist after the storm than before, even though it may not feel like it right now. We all take our lumps and then we do it again for the next one, and so on.

I don’t do enough of these self reflections in part to lack of time, busy with work/family, and honestly a bit of burnout from model tracking. But it’s good to do so once in a while, and it’s also good to just go outside and enjoy the snowfall (or pouring sleet) for what it is rather than what we hoped to get. 

[overcautionisbad]

I learned it can somehow sleet while surface temps are 19 degrees. I had never seen that before

[WEATHER53]

A baja low 3000miles away is too far away to talk about . 

[Roger Smith]

Buy salt. 

[LordBaltimore]

I think you indirectly hit on something many people discover in their 20's. No, it is not enjoyable to track a storm every model run for 7 straight days. It's an obsession. But you don't become an expert in anything without being at least a little bit obsessed. And in that fact lies a trade off. Is this for fun, or is it something you dedicate your life to for it's own sake? Everyone makes that choice on their own