AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny told Newsweek that on average, Porter sees 11.6 inches of snow throughout December, so it came within a half-foot of hitting amounts usually seen for the entire month. In a year, Porter sees more than 65 inches of snow.

Early-season snowfall has been sparse and infrequent, but Steamboat is forecast to receive 30 inches from Friday through Sunday, with other northern mountains receiving a foot or more. The central mountains can expect 6-12 inches, while the southern mountains should receive 3-8 inches.

As New Englanders know, storms are not always well forecast, with snowfall amounts sometimes over or under forecast and some starting earlier or later than expected.

Solar flares and other activity can disrupt radio communications, power grids and navigation signals, according to NASA.

Meteorologists remain somewhat divided over the Dec. 2 storm's forecast, and whether it could wind up qualifying as a bomb cyclone.

Winter storm slams Northeast with heavy snow, icy roads and school closures across multiple states. Follow live.

A coastal storm blows into the NYC area today, bringing heavy rain for most of the region and snow for the northwestern suburbs.