It's a challenge for even modern forecasters to predict exactly where a narrow band of snow will fall, and where exactly a narrow band of slush will fall.
pretty amazing really.
I find the worst DTW weather occurs unannounced when an Alberta clipper that supposed to leave a 1-2" dusting instead stalls or something and dumps 4-7".
In that case, there has been no preparation of the roads, people drive like maniacs and schools are surprised.