Something about the possibility of snow just brings out an amazing level of excitement among weather weenies (you must be one if you are reading this; I certainly am). Once we get one decent global model run that shows a chance of accumulating snow for Alabama, the fun begins.
*People begin to buy milk and bread. Understand, we are not forecasting a big snow event yet, but they go for it anyway. I am working with Rick and Bubba to have a special brand of milk and bread to raise money for ministries; might as well put this consumer spending spree to good use.
*I begin to get strange e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter messages. People hearing that somebody on some blog was forecasting 30 inches of snow for Birmingham in five days. “Heard it was going to be worse than the Blizzard of 93. I read your blog discussion, but what do you REALLY think?”
*The blog goes crazy with comments. Name calling starts as the trolls, know-it-alls, and haters arrive in full force, which is usually about four days before a snow event. The truth is, however, that most of those who are part of the blog family are wonderful people, you know…
*Blog commenters and others using social media want to know if it is going to snow in their community or county. (We have 23 counties and dozens and dozens of municipalities in our market; we can never mention everybody’s hometown… that is why we use these cool maps so you can look and see how much you can expect in your county).
Pretty much a circus atmosphere. And, I actually welcome it. Amazing to see the passion people have for extreme weather here in Alabama, especially winter weather events. I don’t even mind the trolls, haters, and know-it-alls as long as they play by the rules (no personal attacks, no false information, no profanity, etc). Snow in the forecast is like the Alabama-Auburn week for my pals in sports.
Long time readers here know my position. While I love snow more than just about anybody else, it isn’t my job here to “wish-cast”… but to let you know what I honestly think is going to happen. One way or another. We forecast snow, people tell us we are all about “hype and ratings”. We don’t forecast snow, and we are “washed-up old timers that are too conservative”. Trust me, we will be slammed one way or another; just the way it is. All I do here is tell you honestly what I think the weather is going to do.
Like I wrote earlier today, nobody… and I mean nobody knows what the weather is going to do Sunday and Monday at this phase of the game. But, it sure is fun speculating. The 00Z models are rolling in… let the circus continue…
My next discussion and Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 6:15 or so early tomorrow morning….
