Winter Storm Claire Totals and Forecast Winner

Below are the storm totals for winter storm Claire.  I measured 4 inches in Avon, which is consistent with what's reported from the National Weather Service.  So the verdict on best forecasts? 

National Weather Service had the most accurate longer range forecast amounts, predicting 4-8 inches about 72 hours prior to the storm arriving.  Accuweather predicted 1-3 inches.  All other sites I reviewed weren't able to predict an amount at that point. 

Strangely, NWS removed their prediction at about 48 hours out from the storm.  Accuweather predicted 3-6 inches with 4.3 inches for Avon.  WFSB predicted 5-10 inches and Fox predicted 6-12 inches.  Weather Channel predicted 1-3 inches.  Other sites didn't provide any prediction.  The clear winner 48 hours prior to the storms arrival is Accuweather. 

Many sites came together at the 24 hour mark, predicting about 2-6 inches.

Winner: Accuweather. 

While NWS had a better long term forecast in this instance, they seemed to back off a little, whereas Accuweather's overall provided a more consistent, and ultimately, accurate forecast in this case. 

Herer are the storm totals for Claire from the National Weather Service:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

SPOTTER REPORTS

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA

545 PM EST FRI JAN 21 2011

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 33 HOURS

FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION.  APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED

TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS

AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS.  THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR

HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS

                     SNOWFALL           OF

                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT

CONNECTICUT

...HARTFORD COUNTY...

   SIMSBURY               6.0   829 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   WINDSOR LOCKS          5.6   120 PM  1/21  BRADLEY AIRPORT

   SUFFIELD               5.2   843 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   MANCHESTER             5.0  1041 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   SOUTH WINDSOR          5.0  1138 AM  1/21

   WEST HARTFORD          4.8   906 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   BURLINGTON             4.7   954 AM  1/21  TRAINED SPOTTER

   2 SW GRANBY            4.5   951 AM  1/21  NWS EMPLOYEE

   ENFIELD                4.5  1042 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   EAST HARTFORD          4.5  1037 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   WETHERSFIELD           4.0  1045 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   AVON                   4.0  1015 AM  1/21

   SOUTHINGTON            3.0   837 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

...TOLLAND COUNTY...

   TOLLAND                6.5  1233 PM  1/21

   STORRS                 6.5   910 AM  1/21  TRAINED SPOTTER

   COVENTRY               6.0  1229 PM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   STAFFORDVILLE          6.0  1101 AM  1/21  COOP OBSERVER

   STAFFORD SPRINGS       5.6  1122 AM  1/21

   ELLINGTON              5.0  1039 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   VERNON                 4.1  1038 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

...WINDHAM COUNTY...

   ASHFORD                7.0  1100 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   EAST KILLINGLY         6.1   248 PM  1/21

   WOODSTOCK              5.8   912 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   BROOKLYN               5.8  1117 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   PLAINFIELD             5.5  1154 AM  1/21  HAM RADIO

   MOOSUP                 5.2  1118 AM  1/21  GENERAL PUBLIC