The accuracy of forecasts in the DC area have improved significantly in the past twenty years. They seem to get our big storms right these days. We had a few days warning that the Blizzard of '93 (aka "Storm of the Century" and the "Snowicane") was going to hammer us, and boy did it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Storm_of_the_Century

Forecasters did well in calling our Blizzard of '96, the big snow of 2003 (our last big one until recently) and this past December's blizzard.

Sometimes the 4-6" predicted snows don't pan out but that's always in the realm of possibility. These super big storms form down south and seem to just take aim. I don't recall one of them fizzling.

In any event, I'll be able to make omelettes. And the gas tank is topped off so if I go get stuck somewhere.... Well, I won't.