‘Experts’ Say Slight Risk of Heavy Snow for Missouri & Illinois

Let me start by emphasizing this is based on an experimental forecasting method by weather "experts". Keep that in mind as I share that there is some belief by those "experts" that Missouri and Illinois could (another key word) see heavy snow starting later in February.

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When I say "experts", I'm not being sarcastic. This experimental forecast calling for the possibility of heavy snow for Missouri and Illinois comes from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. This prediction says that between February 19 through February 22 there is a slight risk (their words, not mine) of heavy snow blanketing (perhaps literally) both Missouri and Illinois. Here's the map they shared. Note the "experimental" at the top left of their graphic. You'll see that major parts of Missouri & Illinois are directly in the path of the purple risk of heavy snow area.

How is this experimental?

The meteorologists at the Climate Prediction Center use many models and their own forecasting skills to come up with conjecture on the potential of extreme weather events. It's not an official forecast per se, but they're trying to use what they know to give advance warning of hazardous weather like large amounts of snowfall, extreme wind, cold or heat.

So you're saying there's a chance?

Let's emphasize the "slight" risk of this heavy snow event happening. Based on the map they shared, that's only a 20% chance.

What's the bottom line?

Based on what the NOAA Climate Prediction Center has shared, you should pay attention to the forecasts from the National Weather Service when we get closer to February 19 and know that there is at least a slight risk Missouri and Illinois could see a major snow event. Again...only a slight risk, but yes there's a chance.