So, what actually fell? Here are the final accumulation totals, broken down by precipitation type. Note that sleet and snow totals are combined for this analysis, while ice (freezing rain) is tracked separately. The region's saving grace was a shift in the precipitation mix: we saw slightly more sleet than freezing rain. This was the preferred scenario, as it significantly reduced ice load on trees and power lines compared to a pure freezing rain event. This was a very odd storm, with super-cold surface air and very warm air above. The cold air near the surface was so cold and shallow that it was still able to refreeze raindrops before landing; in some odd cases, snow was created in the lowest 2,000', not in the cloud. Very rare and the opposite of normal
Forecast Criteria Status Verdict
Major Winter Storm✅Verified
The system produced significant wintry precipitation across the area.
Timing⚠️Mostly Verified
Arrival and departure times were generally accurate, with minor deviations.
Hazardous Travel✅Verified
Road conditions deteriorated as predicted, leading to dangerous driving conditions.
Ice Storm✅Verified
Freezing rain accumulation met the technical criteria for an ice storm in many areas.
Crippling Ice Storm❌Did Not Verify
Thanks to the higher volume of sleet, we avoided catastrophic ice accumulation levels.
Widespread Power Outages❌Did Not Verify
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