Weather Models vs. The Groundhog

By Scott Stransky Feb. 6, 2007

Last week, the weather models used by meteorologists predicted that we would receive two potentially substantial snowstorms. Neither event amounted to more than a dusting of snow. Analyzing the statistical output of the weather models forms the core of most weather forecasters’ daily studies, and they usually can be relied upon. The models failed miserably last week. In the first case, the predicted development of the storm did not happen, and in the second case, we received about 1/4 inch of precipitation.