Posted on 03/14/2017 4:00:03 PM PDT by bryan999
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Before the first snow fell, U.S. meteorologists realized there was a good chance the late-winter storm wasn't going to produce giant snow totals in big Northeast cities as predicted.
But they didn't change their forecasts because they said they didn't want to confuse the public.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington held a conference call Monday afternoon about computer models that dramatically cut predicted snow amounts. They decided to keep the super snowy warnings.
"Out of extreme caution we decided to stick with higher amounts," Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the Weather Prediction Center in suburban Maryland, told The Associated Press. "I actually think in the overall scheme that the actions (by states and cities) taken in advance of the event were exceptional."
On Monday, the weather service predicted 18 to 24 inches of snow in New York City. By late Tuesday afternoon, Central Park was covered with a little more than 7 inches of snow with rain and sleet still falling. Other areas, including upstate New York and Connecticut, received more than a foot and a half of snow. Swaths of Pennsylvania were walloped by 20 to 30 inches of snow
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
The credibility of legit NWS forecasts are bad enough without adding in fake forecasts that deliberately magnify extreme weather events to trick people into thinking that they’re more prevalent due to “climate change”.
I guess the fools at NWS never heard of the story: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”.
Matt Drudge is right, President Trump needs to drain the NWS swamp too
You nailed it!
Take what they all say with a grain of salt, or a flake of snow.
“The areas west of NYC got a lot of snow dumped on them”
15 inches were I am in North Jersey, Blizzard conditions with wind driven heavy and drifting snow at about 2-4 inches an hour for most of the morning. The roads were impassable. So does it really matter if it’s 15 or 25 inches of snow? That being said the forecasters did miss big on the snow totals for New York City, although it was mostly sleet instead which isn’t any better.
They needed a day off in D.C.
This storm was very real, just headed more to the west than anticipated (and they admitted they couldn’t forecast the TRACK of the storm. The snowfall amounts were accurate - the destinations weren’t.
The ‘blizzard’ fizzled out in Boston, but there’s Big Ratings in predicting heavy weather and that means Big Bucks.
Yes up in Maine near Bangor we have high winds, blowing snow
near white out conditions. Many schools closed at noon,
by 2 pm the road conditions were very poor. The snow amounts may be less but we still have a blizzard going on.
Same here, central PA, close to 2’ with continued snow and increasing wind, lots of drifting, area schools closed again tomorrow.
They issued a travel ban here in Oneida County too.
Snowmobilers just passing through the parking lot here. It’s only like the second time I’ve heard them this winter.
We had 26”. A big storm, but not a brutal devastating storm.
I remarked to someone yesterday that considering how they were lowering the predicted snowfall totals for DC if they kept it up Tuesday would be sunny and warm. Almost made it, too.
They called for 3-5 here and we got over a foot.
I guess if it doesn't hit the coastal megalopolis it's doesn't fall on anyone important.
Now we vote on science. Consensus defines scientific truth.
DH and I took a weather forecasting class years ago, when we sailed. Just before Easter that year, the teacher said it would be a good weekend for golfers. Easter morning, we were covered in snow. At the next class, teach had a lot of splainin’ to do, and did show how the weather changed to bring the snow. That was when I realized how good meteorologists were great in explaining what happened— after the fact!!
In this case, I’m angered that those in charge kept the facts from us. We could see, on the monitors, that the weather could go either way. Why couldn’t they just report what was actually happening?
It would be nice if they could give a more accurate assessment of what they think will/might happen. Not just 80% chance of snow. I’d like to see the alternate scenarios and what they are based on.
Maybe one problem is the network weatherman/girl job. Often a nothing burger job for a pretty face, but really it could be more serious and scientific. Also, there is no need to allot the same amount of time for it in every news cast. Cut it short when there is nothing to say. Give them time when the situation warrants.
The above comment is AP describing in their own words what the forecasters supposedly said. It's not a direct quote.
So perhaps this is AP fake news or perhaps t's accurate and the NWS forecasters think that they know what's best for us.
Either way...SMH.
>>>...around 18-20 here northwest jersey...very high wind gusts....<<<
Yup. I’m in Vernon and It’s easily 20 inches but it’s drifted all over, so it’s hard to get a good number.
I did a time lapse...didn’t turn out as good as I’d hoped, but when it stops, the snow is at 18” and areas near it were higher...that place must catch some wind.
You can see it here...it’s only a minute.
“In this case, I’m angered that those in charge kept the facts from us. We could see, on the monitors, that the weather could go either way. Why couldn’t they just report what was actually happening?”
It has become more difficult the past few years for the competent layman to find “the facts.” Accuweather and the Weather Channel used to put good maps on their sites with winds aloft, surface pressures, fronts and troughs all marked. Those maps have been “dumbed down” as of late with smiley sun faces and frowning rain clouds instead of pressure lines, etc. Their satellite images, are still good.
I now go to various aviation weather sites if I am interested in weather facts. Here in Oklahoma, thunderstorm season is always interesting and I start paying attention a few days before any significant weather arrives. I swear, I am better than the media weathermen at predicting what is going to happen. With your background Exit148, you should probably do the same.
Oldplayer
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