A Winter Storm Watch

It is 51° degrees out at 3:30 PM today, January 8, 2011.  But we are under a winter storm watch. A watch means conditions are favorable for this even to happen.  The prediction is that the snow will start really early Monday morning. The weather people post the watch early to allow preparation for this weather, which is not common to us.  The first winter storm watch we had for the season did actually materialize into a snow storm, starting early in the morning.  The snow removal services were prepared, and the streets were passable when it came time to go to work.  The early preparation makes a big difference.  The only concern is that some services, and activities cancel based on the watch, and sometimes, the storm just does not materialize, or is not as serious as it could be.  It is a risk and a gamble, but so is weather prediction.  Even though there is good science and really sophisticated electronics assisting with forecasting, it is just a prediction, not a guarantee.