A strange thing happened yesterday. Several weather forecasting outlets published reports that the midwest, including Iowa, would see a large winter storm next Tuesday. They predicted mixed precipitation to start, followed by a large amount of snow, possibly in excess of 12 inches. It's the type of report that gets your attention. There's only one question. Are they right?

I get it. Weather forecasters are always looking ahead. Ahead to the next 'big' one. We haven't really had a big snow event in Iowa this winter. So when they see one shaping up you need to jump on it!

BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE SEEN A MODEL FORECAST SNOW LIKE THIS IN MY AREA....I'm sure it's a pipe dream!

Posted by Terry Swails on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

That post goes out onto social media and suddenly people are talking about a huge winter storm that is going to hit next week! The only problem is that you can't forecast specifics this far out. And if you read Terry Swails' weather board he mentions that several times. But sometimes people only read what they want to read. Several other weather outlets hammered that fact home online yesterday too.

Weather is an inexact science the way it is. Don't try and pinpoint snow amounts nearly a week out. Make us aware something is coming without throwing us all into a panic. That being said, I've got to run to the grocery store. We're out of milk, bread and eggs.

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