Storm 3.1.12: Final Evening Report

This storm is like a bad relationship--on, off, on again, off again, and back on again.

This is it--our final decision. Everyone really is pulling hard for a snow day, but your heart can't guide you in these life-and-death matters of snow days. So, we are still not impressed with the way this storm is shaping up. Take a look at this radar from 10 pm Thursday:

See the bifurcation? That corridor of non-green space that stretches diagonally over Pennsylvania is not working in our favor. The nice pocket of precip that's just to the west of Binghamton has promise, but we need to see more moisture expansion! Unfortunately, the big green blob over southern Jersey and PA is going to slide to our south.

Yet, just when we were ready to throw in the towel for the Leap Day debacle, there came this lovely little nugget from the 9:44 pm NOAA report:

BY SUNRISE...SEVERAL MORE INCHES SHOULD HAVE
ACCUMULATED...ESPECIALLY FOR AREAS FROM THE SCHOHARIE VALLEY
EASTWARD INTO THE HELDERBERGS...CAPITAL REGION...AND NORTHERN
BERKSHIRES 

NOAA is still refusing to lower their snow totals--8 to 16" for the Northern Berkshires; 4 to 8" for South County. The coastal low will give us snow around 4 am, and the Midwest low will hit us later in the morning. We really like the folks over at NOAA, but they're a little crazy and we don't trust them entirely. We agree with them that there's a better chance of a snow day, but the bifurcation has us a little on the edge of a large precipice that we might just jump off.

If we win with this one, we lose, and if we lose this one, we win. We're sure that makes sense to you all. If the Super goes with the forecast, she or he will shut 'er down (as Savoy and Hoosic Falls have already for tomorrow!). If she or he goes with the eye test, you'll be drooling on your first period desk at your normal time. Remember, the critical hour is from 5 to 6 am.

We strongly advise that you set your alarm for tomorrow, but make sure you have the portable phone nearby just in case get that beloved Robocall.