Final Predictions for Wednesday Snow Event (Nonevent?)

There's nothing to say about Wednesday's possible snow event that hasn't already been said -- except for maybe to say that expected snowfall amounts continue to decline. As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with snow generally expected to begin falling around midnight, here are the final forecasts. The full, lengthy history of forecasts on this storm that began nearly a week ago can be viewed here.

WCCO: "Several inches" (no specific numbers given for metro)

KSTP: 1-5 inches

FOX: 1-3 inches

KARE: 2-4 inches

Strib: 1-3 inches
MPR: 1-4 inches
NWS: About 2 inches

TMF will issue forecaster its objective, subjective grades shortly after the snow has concluded. If you'd like to be notified when they come out, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Great Snow Weigh-In

The cover-up is well underway.

Note: If you're new to The Minnesota Forecaster, know that we assign forecaster grades after each snow event is over. For the current snowstorm, we anticipate assigning grades, along with a thoughtful discussion, late Monday. Check back to see how your favorite forecaster fared. Or, if you're afraid you'll forget to check on this all-important information (haha), follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook to make sure you receive your very own heads up.

Use the comments section of this post to report what's going on in your neck of the increasingly snow-covered woods -- or just to kvetch or delight in nature's special delivery today.

TMF has established a running total for the storm as it accumulates in St. Paul.

Curious to know our John Q. Public consumer philosophy on weather watching? Take a read.

Winter Storm Watch Issued by National Weather Service

The National Weather Service says that 5 to 10 inches of snow is possible from late Saturday night to late Sunday night. We'll watch for the updates of other weather outlets as they come in later this afternoon and tonight.

If you're new to The Minnesota Forecaster (TMF), know that we stay on top of the Twin Cities forecasters (not necessarily the storm) so that you can see the collective thinking of the weather trust in one sitting. After each storm, we provide grades on the forecast performance of each weather outlet in town.

Check back for updates or follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest on how the forecasters see this evolving "snow event."

And Who's the Dude Behind Minnesota Forecaster?

While we wait for "interesting" weather to return to the Twin Cities -- though a supposed cold wave coming later next week may be something we try to grade (hey, we're getting desperate) -- here for your "listening enjoyment" is a link to the recent radio interview from KVSC. The interview addresses the creation of the Minnesota Forecaster.

Minnesota Forecaster Hits the Airwaves

If you'd like to learn more about The Minnesota Forecaster, take a listen to radio station KVSC on Monday at 12:30 p.m. I'll be fielding questions related to the creation of the site. KVSC can be heard online here.

Passing Grades But No "A"s for Monday Night Football Snowstorm

Today's snowstorm, which both arrived and departed a little earlier than forecast, looks like it will leave most forecasters patting themselves on the back (indeed, it has). But the Minnesota Forecaster strives to be a bit more objective. The grading criteria can be found here. (Note: the official snow accumulation at the MSP airport was 4.5 inches as reported on the 10 p.m. news.)

WCCO: C+ Final prediction of 5 to 9 inches was a little high. Also thought highest accumulations would be to the northeast when in fact the bigger snow totals seemed to be on the southwest side.
KSTP: D+ On Friday, they predicted "the track of this snow seems to be south of the metro." Last night, they forecast 8 inches (6 to 10 inches). They missed the mark.
FOX: C On Saturday, they called for "8+ inches in of near the Twin Cities." They came down to a forecast of 4-7 inches last night, which was generally correct.
KARE: B- Off on timing of the storm. On Saturday night, the forecast called it for it be "dry for most of the daylight hours Monday." Obviously, this was not the case. Their final forecast of 4 to 7 inches was generally correct, though no accumulations greater than 6 inches were recorded in the Twin Cities.
NWS: B- Generally, a decent job, though a bit high on projected snow accumulations. However, the amount of snow received never met official winter storm warning criteria and a winter weather advisory may have been more appropriate.
Star Tribune: B- Like others, initially thought the best chance of accumulations were to the south. They joined the 4-8 inch bus by Sunday.
MPR/Paul Huttner: B First to identify the possibility that the snow would end as a period of freezing rain. Paul's forecast of the popular "4 to 8 inches" was also a little high.