They said an "historic" snowstorm was coming — but then, for folks in southern New Jersey, the actual snowfall was underwhelming.
Weather forecasters may have gotten things a little wrong, but at least one forecaster was quick with something unexpected: a mea culpa.
Gary Szatkowski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, issued an apology early Tuesday after snowfall estimates were drastically reduced.
"My deepest apologies to many key decision makers and so many members of the general public," Szatkowski tweeted. "You made a lot of tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn't. Once again, I'm sorry."
My deepest apologies to many key decision makers and so many members of the general public.
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
You made a lot of tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn't. Once again, I'm sorry.
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
The remorseful meteorologist issued his apology, along with clarifications of snowfall amounts, before the National Weather Service had finished its new graphics reflecting the updated estimates.
OK, no sense postponing the inevitable. Snow amounts have been sharply curtailed. New products coming out now from @NWS_MountHolly
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
This is a big storm further off to our northeast. New York City will see good amounts of snow, and for portions of New England it will...
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
...be very high impact. But for much of New Jersey, and for the Philadelphia Metropolitan area, this is a big forecast miss.
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
He tweeted the revised snowfall estimates graphics once they were done...
But its been posted. Here it is. Was pointing you to text product, but now that this is available, reference this. pic.twitter.com/1OvX4OCNKo
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
...and while some on Twitter harangued him for his mistake, many others appreciated his candor, prompting him to tweet his thanks for the understanding.
Thank you to the many folks who have been very gracious on social media this morning. Much appreciated.
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
He also thanked Mother Nature for sending at least a little snow his way.
At least Mother Nature is throwing me a bone. Its snowing again in Hainesport, NJ.
— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015
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