Timing is Everything!

Meteorology is a lot like gambling, you never want to place all your money on one bet. Because chances are, you'll probably lose. Yesterday a couple of the computer models were hinting at the possibilty of a significant snow event for much of the northern Illinois region. And before I put any red flags up, today is a different story. That's what makes forecasting so much fun!

There is no doubt in my mind that the cold front that is forecast to come through late on Wednesday will bring us a chance for rain and even the potential for freezing rain during the overnight as temperatures fall into the 30s after seeing highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Along the front however, a couple of the computer models were indicating that another storm system would move in from the southern Plains, through central Illinois and into southern Michigan. With that track, northern Illinois would be right in the middle of an accumulating snow event. However, today the computer models are taking that storm system and moving it further to the east, which would take the heavy snow potential with it into the Ohio River Valley. That is why it is very important, especially this time of the year, to pay very close attention to the track of these storm systems. Because even as much as a 50 mile deviation to the east or west could mean a big difference across the Stateline.