Up to 9 inches of snow is possible per the 18z NAM, but the NAM has been known to over-estimate snowfall amounts. Here's what the models think, all engraved on graphs.
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SREF Ensembles |
The SREF has never been too adventurous with this snowstorm, so I would bet on the models above the model average. But we will have to see, as every ensemble has their right to their own forecasts.
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Models |
The models are showing a range from 1-5 inches. This is not the accumulation, but rather accumulation with compaction- that is, snowfall compressed on the ground after all is set and done. Here's the snowfall without compression- what we classify as the actual accumulation.
As you can see, accumulations without the compression are higher, with the NAM reaching into the 8 inch range. Below is what models we think are correct in accumulation forecasts:
We are thinking 3-6 inch accumulations right now. This is for Chicago, and the most affected areas will actually be the northern suburbs within Illinois. In the whole inter-state snowfall accumulations, Wisconsin may get a foot of snow.