What Parts of the U.S. are the Most Difficult for Weather Forecasters?

Predicting the weather is not an exact science. It is made even more difficult in some parts of the U.S. For example, areas where mountains and large bodies of water are located in close proximity to each other provide unique challenges to forecasters. Here are a few of the regions that are known for their forecasting difficulties.

Great Lakes

Forecasting the zone around the Great Lakes snowbelt is not for the faint of heart. This is because it is difficult to predict the location and timing of the snow from a lake-effect snow event more than a day or two in advance.

These types of snow bands often measure just 10 to 15 miles across. A slight change in the wind direction can mean the difference between a community getting buried in a foot of snow or only picking up a few flakes.

Complicating the issue is the fact that the temperatures can fluctuate wildly near cold bodies of water such as the Great Lakes. This is most noticeable during the early summer months, a time when the mercury can vary up to 20 degrees within just a few miles.