Subsidence, appearing as darkening/warming on the GOES WV imagery, is not as well represented by particularly the Eta RH fields. Also notice that later in the period, the subsidence in the GOES WV imagery reinforces the idea that short wave #2 may indeed track further south than indicated by either the AVN or Eta model.
Between 00 and 03 Z on 2 February, notice the break at 45N, 140W in the AVN RH field vs. the GOES WV field. Where the model and satellite analyses are in better agreement is in the orientation of the upper-level water vapor plume.
With the initial review of synoptic features completed, the next steps will be to examine in more detail the model forecasts and to quantify the significant meteorological features to impact the CWA during the next 24 hours (06 to 06 Z 2-3 February). As this is a snow case only, our primary concern is the timing of the snow event. The forecast challenge for the Spokane (OTX) CWA can be summarized as follows: