Weather Extremes

You have certainly heard of the XFL (Extreme Football League) and the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), but have you heard of the EWF (Extreme Weather Forecasting)? Sure, you have. All you have to do is watch a TV weather report. Whatever weather reporter happens to appear before the "weather map" predicts extreme weather more often than not, apparently to err on the side of caution rather than attempt accuracy. Today, they are forecasting snow for the greater Kansas City region (or TV viewing area) in depths varying from 1-inch to 21-inches. The "bullseye" or oval area of greatest snow accumulation (up to 21-inches) is predicted to lie on a southwest to northeast axis south of KC proper. KC itself could get 10 to 12 inches of snow. My problem is that the extreme weather forecasts of the past that have not been realized make me skeptical of the current forecast. Only time will tell if today's forecast is a good one. The weatherperson will always say, "Rather safe than sorry." I think the weather people would rather be able to crow about a prediction that was on the money than admit that the hype of an extreme forecast was just that- postioning themselves to recieve kudos.