Hype: Model Snowfall This Week

I'm not sure if this can be considered "hype" or not, since this storm is less than a day away, but the Forecast Models [JessePedia] are outputting some really impressive snowfall amounts in this week's storm. Here's what the GFS predicts the snow cover (snow on ground) map will look like as of this weekend:

And here's the NMM's take:

Click to enlarge and see the key. Both of them are off the chart -- over 18 inches, possibly 2 feet of snow in parts of Illinois and Missouri.

But before you go buy your snowshoes, consider that this is the first major winter storm for the models this fall. We just got a bug fixed in our GFS maps on the Pro site, so we're kind of relearning this fall how accurate or inaccurate the models can be. Consider also that we have a brand new model (the NMM, replacing the ETA) this year. This will be a mixed precipitation storm and much of the so-called "heavy snow" could end up being significant freezing rain or sleet. And finally, a disclaimer that this early-morning data is from the Weird Runs [JessePedia] (06Z) of the models.

What are our meteorologists saying? Meteo Madness Man (PREMIUM | PRO) just got in and I'm sure he'll be making a post soon. Last night he said:

One thing's for sure -- this is going to be a messy, travel disrupting storm over a wide area. In celebration of my new Simpsons [WikiPedia] DVD set, here are the forecasts for Springfield:

Springfield, MO:
AccuWeather: 4.0" Snow, 0.12" Ice
NWS: 6" Snow, "Significant" Ice

Springfield, IL:
AccuWeather: 2.2" Snow, 0.12" Ice
NWS: No advisories issued yet