I always take weather forecasts with a grain of salt. That said, my Ariens “King of the Snow” is ready to rock if needed. We moved to MA from Upstate NY 3 years ago, and the difference in the way winter behaves is interesting. Winter in Upstate NY seemed to be constant, small amounts of snow all season, with the occasional accumulation of a foot or so. Here in MA all the snow seems to happen in a couple of huge dumps, with not a lot in between. The little 30 year-old Toro we brought with us just wasn’t up to the task, so we retired it in favor of this beast of an Ariens. Bring it, baby! I’m up for 50’ rooster tails of snow shooting out of the thing.
Where did you move from? Grew up north of Syracuse in the Lake Ontario snow belt. Remember that most winters were long and cold. Snow possible from October though May. Occasional temperature excursions to 30 below zero. Farm tractor with the snow blade kept the driveway open. Cellar was stocked with enough food to last 'til next winter. We would be snowed in every couple of years or so for 2 to 4 days.
Stay warm!