Retrospective analysis of global model forecasts and of NCEP's short-range ensemble forecasts system (SREF) revealed that forecasts based on the WRF-ARW dynamical core (including WSI RPM) were much more consistent and accurate at predicting the northern extent of heavy precipitation than forecasts based on other dynamical cores (NAM, GFS, and ECMWF). This presentation will provide both an analysis of the available real-time numerical weather prediction models, as well as an analysis of retrospective runs of the RPM system (using its WRF-ARW core) to reveal what components of the WRF-ARW contributed to the accurate snowfall forecasts, especially in the northern part of this snowstorm.