Snow Total ‘Caught Everybody Off Guard’ Says WCCO’s Chris Shaffer

As soon as he woke up Sunday morning, Stillwater native and WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer told his wife: “We’re going to get a foot of snow.”

Which wasn’t what was initially projected for the Twin Cities.

Most forecasters and models said Sunday’s total for the area would be about seven inches, Shaffer said. He was projecting a foot of snow in areas north, but the system shifted south.

“This one caught everybody off guard,” said Shaffer, who recently won a local Emmy as best weather anchor.

Sunday’s snowstorm was the biggest for the Twin Cities since Feb. 20, 2011, when more than 11 inches fell, he said.

The biggest storm last winter (Dec. 3) was only 4.2 inches, Shaffer said.

Winter Storm 2012: Stillwater Area Public Schools Will Start Two Hours Late

REMINDER: Stillwater Winter Parking Rules in Effect

First Winter Storm 2012: Share Your Photos of Snow in Stillwater

Despite the foot or so of snow that fell in the Stillwater area Sunday, he said he still expects totals this winter to be below average.

The snow will have an impact on temperatures, Shaffer said, as energy is spent melting snow instead of heating up the ground.

Check tonight’s WCCO newscast for weather updates.